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Visit London is to focus on the business tourism benefits for 2012 at EIBTM 2009. Since the closing ceremony and the focus now on the City in 2012, Visit London will be announcing and launching a number of new initiatives and benefits for international associations and conference planners who have already started to discuss their plans.
The main points are:
- Visit London stakeholders working together to create a joint and consistent approach to delivery of events for large groups
- The introduction of a city-wide accommodation charter involving all major hotel groups
- Partnerships with air and rail and group rates for Associations
- New Hotels coming on stream
- New venues, restaurants, and entertainment spaces to make the choice even greater
Barbara Jamison, European Sales Manager for Visit London commented: “Even though there is a four-year wait London’s business tourism industry is already seeing some major benefits. The overall mindset of the London stakeholders seems to have changed – all the hotels, transport, venues and production agencies are all working together to create a more joined up and consistent approach to delivery. There is an even greater understanding and willingness to work with and deliver events for large groups coming to London. This understanding and eagerness will only increase over the next four years, which is a fantastic legacy for London’s event industry.”
Jamison added: “At Visit London we have also tried to spearhead a number of industry-wide initiatives which include a city-wide accommodation charter. Although the charter is in the early planning stages it will include all major hotel groups to further unite London’s accommodation offer. It will also create more support for congresses as hoteliers will agree on a standard term of doing business, i.e. allocations, release dates, etc.”
Visit London have also been working closely with travel partners – engaging both air and rail in offering associations group rates. There have also been discussions regarding special offers with products such as Travel Oyster cards, which can be used on the majority of London’s public transport, and could be used as a sustainable and cost-effective travel option for groups.
The product offer is also a major benefit which the business industry has already started to benefit from. More businesses and services are being developed – gearing up for the 2012 Games – which in turn has strengthened London’s offer as a world-class destination. A number of new hotels such at the Westminster Bridge Park Plaza, the new Hilton at Wembley, the Renaissance at St Pancras Chambers and the Sofitel at Heathrow T5 are being built. This will create even more choice and will raise London’s hotel bedroom capacity total from 100,000 to 120,000 for 2012.
As well as growth of accommodation there are also a number of new venues, restaurants and entertainment spaces being planned or built. So the overall offer for delegates coming to London is constantly changing, contributing to a new and inspiring image for the destination.
There is an overall positive effect that the Games are having on London’s events and hospitality sector and below are some facts and figures about just a few of the Olympic venues, which are based in East London and will host London 2012 Olympic events. There are many more which will be in central London as well as in places like Weymouth and Eton, but the below venues are business and conference spaces which will be transformed into Olympic areas:
Greenwich Park – Equestrian
Greenwich Park will host the Equestrian, modern Pentathlon and Paralympic Equestrian events. Temporary seating for 23,000 spectators will be built for the Games.
At 74 hectares (183 acres) Greenwich Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, dating back to 1433. Situated on top of a hill, with sweeping views across the river Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral and beyond, the park is part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site which also includes the Royal Observatory and the Old Royal Naval College.
The Royal Observatory is, of course, home of Greenwich Mean Time at longitude 0°. Every place on earth is measured in terms of its distance east or west from the Greenwich Meridian. The line itself divides the eastern and western hemispheres of the earth, just as the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres.
Greenwich Park is also one of the UK’s top film locations. Stars including Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, Hugh Grant and Angelina Jolie have all shot scenes here. The Park itself has been used in several period dramas based on classic novels such as the 1995 version of Jane Austin’s Sense and Sensibility, starring Kate Winslet and Emma Thompson. You can also spot scenes from Greenwich Park in Matthew Vaughn’s film Layer Cake (2004), the crime thriller starring the current James Bond, Daniel Craig.
North Greenwich Arena (also known as The O2 ) – Basketball
The North Greenwich Arena is a major music and entertainment venue which will play host to Basketball and Gymnastics during the London 2012 Games.
Also known as The O2 and located in south-east London, it includes a state-of-the-art concert arena, music club and exhibition space. Re-opening to critical acclaim in 2007, the North Greenwich Arena is a world-class entertainment hub with bars, restaurants and cinema screens.
ExCel London – Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table Tennis
In 2012 this 40 hectares (100 acre) campus will host a number of Olympic and Paralympic sports including Boxing, Fencing, Judo and Table Tennis.
ExCeL London is an international exhibition and conference center located on London’s east side, which plays host to a number of large public shows including the Motor Show and the Boat Show.
Situated in a stunning waterfront location, ExCeL London is located in the heart of the city’s Royal Docks and easily accessible by Docklands Light Rail, London Underground and London City Airport.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
