VisitBritain along with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Visit London hosted a seminar on 26 January 2010 for key tourism industry contacts and media to showcase the tourism potential of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Approximately 200 tourism leaders who represent the industry across Britain attended the event.
Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman, VisitBritain, opened the event. With just over 900 days to go before the start of the Games, he stressed the need for us all to help lay the foundations for the commercial opportunity the Olympic Games bring, as well as to begin serious preparations for our part in welcoming the world to Britain. Download his speech notes.
The Rt Hon Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister for Culture and Tourism, then gave the key note speech, in which she urged industry to work together in order to maximise the economic benefits that can be secured from staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
Presentations from Laurence Bresh and Martine Ainsworth-Wells, the marketing directors at VisitBritain and Visit London respectively, covered the two agencies' plans and gave practical advice on how to get involved to use the Games to inspire audiences all over the world to visit London and explore Britain. Download their presentation.
Then we moved on to ‘Raising Standards’ in which Keith Beecham, Director of Overseas Network, VisitBritain, Sarah Barrett, Head of Group Customer Experience, Manchester Airport and Brian Wisdom, CEO, People 1st explained the work of the welcome to Britain group overseas to improve perceptions of Britain abroad and propose improvements to visa processing; improve customer services and processes when visitors arrive in Britain and improve the experience that visitors have with all services during their stay, from accommodation and restaurants to transport and shops. Download their presentation.
Next, Andrew Cosslett, CEO, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), gave a sponsor’s perspective as London 2012’s Official Hotel Services Provider. He spoke about how important it is for visitors to have a comfortable experience – especially the 17,000 athletes and that’s why IHG are involved in the design and fitout of the athletes village. IHG is committed to high quality accommodation and will be opening another 40 hotels before 2012. Download his speech.
A more detailed look at what will actually happen during the summer of 2012 including how you can keep abreast of activity and how you can engage with the programmes was provided by Mark Howell, 2012 Director, Visit London and Len Olender, Director, Sportsworld Travel. Download their presentation.
Alex Kelham, Brand Protection, London 2012, outlined the main opportunities and restrictions in using London 2012 wording and branding. Download her presentation, or read more about Games branding.
To end the presentations, Chris Foy, Head of 2012 Games Unit, VisitBritain & Angela Salt, Head of Nations & Regions, London 2012 talked about the next steps for working together and the development of industry tools and resources that will be available from the end of March 2010. Download their presentation, read more about VisitBritain’s 2012 Games plans.
A discussion panel made up of Angela Salt, Nations & Regions Group, London 2012, Jenifer Littman MBE, Chief Executive, Tourism For All, Sally Chatterjee, CEO, Visit London, and Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman of VisitBritain answered questions on a variety of topics, including accessibility, the Commonwealth games in Delhi, quality and welcome.
The event was closed by Margaret Hodge. She reminded those present that it was critical that the tourism industry not just maximised on the economic benefits of the Games, but also used this opportunity as a catalyst for improvements in the welcome we offer - by raising the standards with regard to accessibility, the quality of what is offered and the training of staff.
Find out more about VisitBritain's 2012 Games plans; the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (www.culture.gov.uk/) and Visit London (www.londonandpartners.com).