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15 November 2005
Prime Minister Sets Olympic Gains Target For Tourism
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell today met tourism leaders and put in place plans to ensure the £75 billion industry fully exploits the opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympic Games.
Top of the agenda were arrangements to ensure the entire British tourism industry is ready for the Games and ready to create a legacy that benefits the whole country.
Attendees of the meeting, including representatives from the Eden Project, Centre Parcs and Liverpool 2008, agreed to sign up to a Tourism 2012 Charter.
This commits the industry to driving up standards in Britian’s 180,000 tourism businesses, making attractions and accomodation accessible to disabled visitors and improving the skills of tourism workers.
The Government pledged that funding and other support for tourism will be fully co-ordinated at national, regional, and local levels and that the interests of tourism will be taken fully into account in all Olympic policy decisions.
It was also agreed that through a new Tourism 2012 Group, the industry will deliver a comprehensive Tourism 2012 Strategy by the spring of next year.
The Prime Minister said:
“Holding the 2012 Olympics on home soil is a great honour and a once in an era opportunity for British tourism - the biggest visitor event in UK history.
“Our job now is to ensure that the whole country benefits, in the run up to and long beyond the Games. All those who worked so hard in winning the Bid are now determined to make this happen, working side by side with the leaders of tourism."
Tessa Jowell commented:
“The Olympics in London in 2012 provide a great opportunity for tourism. We want to do even better than Barcelona and Sydney in increasing the number of visitors that come, not just to London, but who then travel around the UK.
“But in order to realise this ambition, the industry needs to improve the consistency of its quality, raise the level of skill, and through imaginative marketing showcase Britain’s heritage and its dynamic, 21st century cities.
“All those at the breakfast were unanimous in their enthusiasm for this challenge – realising the challenge will ensure a long lasting legacy for Britain.”
Notes to Editors
The meeting with the Prime Minister was attended by:
1. Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary
2. James Purnell, Tourism Minister
3. John Healey, Financial Secretary to the Treasury
4. Lord Coe, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games
5. Lord Marshall, VisitBritain
6. Tom Wright, VisitBritain
7. Tamara Ingram, Visit London
8. Peter Lederer, VisitScotland
9. Mike Power, London2012
10. Brent Hoberman, lastminute.com
11. David Michels, Hilton Group
12. Martin Robinson, Center Parcs
13. Moir Lockhead, First Group
14. Peter Phillipson, Tussauds
15. Richard Carrick, Hoseasons
16. Brian Wisdom, People 1st
17. Gordon Campbell-Gray, One Aldwych
18. Tim Smit, Eden Project
19. Colin Chandler, EasyJet
20. Philip Evans, Vox
21. Kumar Muthalagappan, Pearl Hotels
22. Brigid Simmonds, Tourism Alliance
23. Bob Cotton, British Hospitality Assciation
24. Juliet Williams, English RDAs
25. Ros Pritchard, British Holiday & Home Parks
26. Rob Hayward, British Beer & Pub Association
27. Sir David Henshaw, Liverpool Culture Company
28. Fiona Reynolds, National Trust
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