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Olympics worth £2.1bn for tourism industry

17th September 2007, 4:23pm

Tourism Minister Margaret Hodge has today published plans that will ensure the hospitality and tourism industry gains an extra £2.1bn during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The campaign, Winning: A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond, highlights how businesses within the industry must:

Engage all businesses in a new campaign aimed at domestic and overseas visitors starting at the Beijing 2008 handover

Develop a skilled workforce to provide better customer service

Drive up quality in accommodation by increasing the number of places that are accredited under the national star-grading scheme to 85%

Promote the UK as a key location for international business visits and conferences

Improve sustainability by ensuring that the needs of the environment are central to the development of the tourism industry

Margaret Hodge explained why achieving these goals is crucial to secure the £2.1bn target: "From the London Eye to the Lake District we have some of the finest tourist attractions in the world. London 2012 is a huge opportunity for the tourism industry. In five years time, millions of visitors will be coming here for the first time and we want them to come back time and time again – and bring their family and friends. It's about creating a lasting legacy.

This strategy will help every sector of the industry – from the smallest B&B to the largest chain hotel, from the quiet seaside town the noisy theme park – gear up, improve its service and improve its welcome in time for 2012."

There is still work to be done according to figures from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

Just 53% of accommodation in the UK is registered on the national-grading scheme and only 34% of places to stay in London have a quality mark.

The plans announced today were compiled with the help of VisitBritain and VisitLondon.

Related Articles:

26 Jul 2010 - Opportunity for UK food suppliers to present to London 2012
08 Dec 2009 - London 2012 will serve of British food at the Games

Words Clare Riley 0 comments

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