UK Body Needs Cash to Tap Olympic Tourism

8th October 2007 (Last Updated October 8th, 2007 10:59)

The UK's national tourism body today called for increased government support for the country's tourism industry in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games, to be held in London. VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues says the government has spent £9bn on the Games, but has not spent a

The UK’s national tourism body today called for increased government support for the country’s tourism industry in the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games, to be held in London.

VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues says the government has spent £9bn on the Games, but has not spent anything on associated tourism, which could generate a £2.1bn return.

“We’ve got the vision to leverage the 2012 Olympic Games over a decade of opportunity and help transform Britain’s £85bn visitor economy,” he says.

“But we have reached the point where there is no slack – without increased funding we will not be able to deliver the work required to ensure an Olympic legacy.”

Rodrigues’ comments come as the government prepares a comprehensive spending review that will set the budgets for VisitBritain in the three years leading up to the games.

By Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh