Don’t be complacent about the Olympics, says UKinbound
Incoming tour operators are urging the UK Government not to "squander" all the achievements of the Olympics.
As the London 2012 Games came to a close, UKinbound chief executive Mary Rance said complacency is not an option.
"Now is not the time to pat each other on the back and say job well done," she said.
"Along with the many successes and highlights, there have been some major disappointments including a significant reduction in the number of visitors to London and the UK compared to summer 2011.
"In fact, the job to attract visitors to the UK has only just started.
“If the Government is going to succeed in their ambition of welcoming 40 million visitors by 2020, there must be a genuine determination to attract overseas visitors at a time when the ‘Olympic’ effect no longer exists.”
She said rising Air Passenger Duty, a "risk-based" approach to processing of visas and a "real aversion" to making a decision on expanding airport capacity need be dealt with now "and with a real sense of urgency".
Her comments follow a national survey of UKinbound members carried out over the weekend.
The research, conducted in conjunction with Qa Research, found that for the period of 23 July to 12 August:
– 66% of members surveyed stated that year on year inbound tourism bookings or inbound tourism visitors numbers were significantly lower
– 22% stated they were slightly lower
– 59% of those who believed numbers were considerably lower stated they had seen decreases in excess of 10%
– 82% stated that bookings or visitor numbers were lower or significantly lower year on year for the post Olympic period 13 August to 9 September
– 72% of members agreed with the statement that ‘lack of accommodation for advanced booked groups in London had adversely affected destinations around the UK’ during the Olympics.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026