UK Prime Minister Sets Olympic Gains Target for Tourism

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell met last week with 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.

The Government pledged that funding and other support for tourism will be fully coordinated 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.

"Holding the 2012 Olympics on home soil is a great honor and a once in an era opportunity for British tourism - the biggest visitor event in UK history,” PM Blair pointed out.