Olympics will be good for industry say tourism chiefs
Tourism chiefs fuelled the debate surrounding the potential of the London 2012 Olympics for the industry in the run up to the games as well as its aftermath.
Bosses from both VisitBritain and VisitLondon highlighted the commercial advantages to delegates amid scepticism of the benefits brought on by ETOA’s report in the July, which highlighted the ‘potentially damaging impact on tourism.’
VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said the evidence was overwhelmingly positive and revealed figures from the Barcelona games showing that international visitors doubled in the decade after the event.
Wright said: “Our research shows one in three people are more likely to visit because of the Olympics in 2012.”
He added that the games gave the country the perfect opportunity to strengthen its image abroad and change perceptions about London and the UK.
Wright also demonstrated the increased interest the Sydney Olympics generated with 13% of UK travellers keen to visit the destination before the games were even held and 35% after the games.
He said: “We’re already winning events and conferences and the Olympics is a great catalyst to raise the quality of hotels, attractions and transport. Investment in the games offers a £2 billion legacy if not more and we can all share in that opportunity.”
VisitLondon chief executive James Bidwell said the capital was already better placed than most cities to cope with and absorb the games and would use them to regain lost tourism share.
“London can cope with the games plus much of its normal activity in a far different way.”
He also said the Olympics was a good excuse for the industry to raise its profile and understanding of its economic importance with government.
Bosses also strived to reassure delegates at ETOA’s annual Summit in London with concerns about the limited benefits for the industry.
Bidwell said: “We want to have a massive cultural festival for the whole of that year because not everyone is interested in sport.”
Report by Linda Fox
Linda Fox
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