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Tourism sector to win from the 2012 Games


ufi ibrahim is chief executive officer of British Hospitality Association


Deregulation study published


An independent report com- missioned by the government has recommended “wide- spread deregulation” in a range of areas across the tour- ism and hospitality sectors. A taskforce led by British


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n January, there was much said in the media when the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) released


8,000 of the 40,000 London hotel rooms it had allocated for the Games period. Te release was part of the original deal


that enabled London to win the Games in the first place, so it’s puzzling that the news warranted such an agonised response from the media. Nevertheless, it raised many com- ments about hotel demand and pricing. London hoteliers are confident they will


be very busy during the Games, which is – aſter all – the world’s biggest sporting event. As industry pricing is demand-led, prices will rise to reflect that but, for a true com- parison, prices during the Games should be compared with those during events such as Farnborough Air Show or Wimbledon when they reach their peak, not at other times of the year when demand is much lower. Some commentators also suggested that


because of high prices, occupancy in London during the Games will be less than 80 per cent. For central London, this is nonsense – these hotels will be full. Average occupancy in London in August is typically in the 80 per cent region anyway (82.2 per cent in 2011, 82.6 per cent in 2010), so it would not be as disastrous as is being implied. Tere will be some displacement of reg-


ular traffic, but there is no evidence that suggests people will not return in 2013 and beyond. Why should they not? Te fact that London is very busy one year does not mean that people will not want to visit in later years. But whatever the level of occupancy in London, one of the key benefits of the Games is the long-term impact on the tour- ism economy, stretching far beyond 2012. Te 2012 Games will introduce new peo-


ple to the UK who have never visited the country before; many will want to return. Also, the television coverage during the Games, and UK generally, is worth infinitely more than anything that VisitBritain and others could possibly generate. Tis will be one of the Games’ most lasting legacies and one that will benefit both the hotel industry and the UK economy far into the future.


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Hospitality Association (BHA) chair Alan Parker was responsible for the new Smart Regulation and Economic Growth - Seizing the Tourism Opportunity research. The report was commis-


sioned by tourism minister John Penrose and recommen- dations deal with issues such as the recognition of tourism in planning and the current UK visa regime. Other issues cov- ered by the research include health and safety regulations; employment law; and a shake-up of the Licensing Act. Recommendations will be considered across government in order to help the industries


Te report covered a number of issues –including health and safety


contribute to the UK’s economic growth, with 500,000 jobs expected to be created by 2020. Parker said: “Tere is a huge opportunity


that everyone in the industry wants to be part of. Cutting red tape is one easy thing that the government can do to help bring this growth about.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=e9n6z


LOCOG ‘returns’ Games-time hotel rooms


Around a fiſth of hotel room nights reserved by the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) have been “returned” to hotels. More than 120,000 room nights across at least 200 hotels – including budget properties


and five-star operators – are now available to visitors travelling to London for the Games. Agreements made in 2005 as part of the


bidding process had allowed for in excess of 40,000 rooms to be used by officials, media and employees working at the Games.


Edwardian Group secures London site


Allsop and Tamarin/RER have confirmed that contracts have been exchanged for the sale of the Odeon Leicester Square site to the Edwardian Group for an undisclosed sum. Knight Frank and CBRE


have acted as agents for the sale of the site, which was subject to a successful plan- ning application in 2008 for a mixed-use redevelopment. Under approved plans, the


buildings will be redeveloped with a two-screen cinema and a 245-bedroom hotel. Edwardian Group chief


Te site has approval for a development including a 245-bedroom hotel


operating officer Paul Mansi said: “Leisure experiences are at the heart of the company’s DNA and we are keen to create new and exciting offerings for the local market and the myriad visitors to the city.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital “Te acquisition of the site, and our ambi-


tious plans, will both create jobs in the area and put the spotlight firmly back on the revitalised Leicester Square.”


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


image: mnStudio/shutterstock.com


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