Email the editor
Published:
05/11/2009
Olympics tourism boost is not “wholly illusory”
Visit London has dismissed a report by The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) claiming that staging the Olympic Games in 2012 could “harm” the city’s tourism industry.
Statistics revealed by the ETOA suggest tourism to the host city can decrease by up to 30 per cent in the run up to the Games. Research into every Games stretching back to Seoul in 1988 revealed a peak in arrivals during the Games but disruption both before and after, while none of the host cities saw any obvious long-term growth.
The association described suggestions the Games provide a tourism boost as “wholly illusory”.
Tom Jenkins, executive director of ETOA, said: “We have yet to have a games where tourism has not been disrupted, and disrupted in a way that causes real harm.”
ETOA warned London could see over 2.5 million fewer visitors at a loss of £1.5bn if it follows the same pattern as Beijing.
Visit London has fought back at the claims, stating their own research puts the estimated additional tourism revenues from the London 2012 Olympic Games at a gain of £1.5bn over 10 years.
The visitor organisation noted also that London’s tourism industry is the first to introduce a Fair Pricing and Practice Charter to stop people feeling ‘ripped off’ during the Olympic Games. Improvement programmes were in place to ensure the city’s transport infrastructure and a vast array of cultural activities and festivals were being planned to add to the atmosphere as well as the Games themselves.
Visit London chief executive, Sally Chatterjee, said: “It’s impossible to compare Olympic cities directly. London is the world’s most visited destination by foreign travellers and one of the most accessible cities in the world. We believe the London 2012 Olympic Games will bring an influx of new visitors to London. Olympic year will be one of the most exciting times in our history and no-one will want to miss out.”