Hoteliers urge Olympics bid
London's hoteliers are urging the Government to "go for it" and pledge their backing for the capital to host the 2012 Olympics in what could be a major tourism draw for years to come.
Although the event is nine years away, a Cabinet meeting is scheduled for next Thursday (30 January) to decide whether to back a bid, which has a July 2003 deadline.
Initial plans drawn up by the British Olympic Association would see a stadium and athletes' village built in the East End of London, although Wembley Stadium is another option.
The British Tourist Authority has already submitted its backing. "It would be hugely beneficial to the whole of the UK for many years to come," said a spokeswoman.
David Bailey, director of consultancy TRI Hospitality, said that as a mature capital, London would see innovative approaches to capacity-building along the lines of floating hotels on the Thames and even prefabricated budget hotels. "They could then be dismantled afterwards if demand disappeared," he said.
The main concern over London putting together a bid for the event is the cost and whether it would be publicly or privately funded.
Some estimates put the net cost of staging a bid at £13m, with the overall financial implication of staging the games varying from a loss of £145m to profits of £82m, although more definite figures remain unclear.
Concerns also centre over whether London's infrastructure would be able to cope with the volume of people the Olympics would attract.
What London hoteliers say
Amanda Scott, general manager, Le Méridien Waldorf hotel
"It's a fantastic opportunity. With other cities becoming increasingly sophisticated in their marketing, it could be the very thing London needs."
Liam Lambert, general manager of the Mandarin Oriental hotel
"We would be crazy not to go for it. It will give the prompt needed to invest in roads and reassess transport. Two weeks for the games doesn't represent a huge increase in occupancy, but it's the fallout for the year or two afterwards that will make a difference."
Anthony Harris, chief executive of Hilton UK
"Any initiative that promotes London as a tourist destination is worthy of encouragement. With London being a gateway to the rest of the country, it would benefit tourism throughout the UK."
Gordon Campell Gray, managing director, One Aldwych
"I think it would be lacking in courage if we didn't try. As a world-class city we ought to bid for it, and if we lose at least we would have had the guts to try for it."
What the Olympic games would bring to London
\ 80,000-100,000 hotel and hostel rooms required - London is expected to have 200,000 rooms by 2012.
* 11,000 athletes competing in 300 events over the 16 days of the games.
* 5,000-6,000 coaches and officials along with 4,000-5,000 members of the Olympic family.
* More than 7,000 sponsors.
* Nearly half a million spectators would be attracted to the event.
\ 63,000 staff, 47,000 of whom would be volunteers.
Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 23-29 January 2004
