| London is the most expensive place to | | | | attending the 2012 Olympics will be |
| stay in Europe, according to a recent | | | | coming to London for the first time and |
| survey, and that news has emerged at the | | | | therefore wants their experience of the |
| same time as tourism minister Margaret | | | | city to be a positive one. She added: |
| Hodge has warned that hotels in the | | | | "Hosting the 2012 Olympics is a huge |
| capital must shape up in order to be | | | | opportunity for London and the UK |
| ready for the 2012 Olympics. | | | | tourism industry. In five years London |
| The average cost of staying in a London | | | | will welcome millions of first-time |
| hotel has leapt by a staggering 12% | | | | visitors and we will want them to come |
| since April, and now averages £119 per | | | | back time and again - hopefully bringing |
| night across the capital. Although not | | | | their family and friends. It's all about |
| as expensive as New York or the world's | | | | creating a lasting and positive legacy |
| most expensive place for a one-night | | | | for the capital." |
| stay, Moscow, the rates are remarkably | | | | But, the government doesn't expect the |
| high considering that two-thirds of all | | | | capital's hotels to do it all by |
| London hotels are unrated. The figures | | | | themselves. A recently unveiled |
| show that even relatively meagre | | | | multi-agency strategy entitled: "Winning |
| two-star accommodation in London | | | | - A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and |
| averages £88 per night and guests have | | | | Beyond" has been drawn up by the |
| to typically stump up £109 to stay in | | | | Department for Culture, Media and Sport |
| three-star rated hotels. | | | | aided by Visit Britain, Visit London, |
| Tourism minister Hodge is worried that | | | | and an assortment of Regional |
| the combination of highly priced | | | | Development Agencies, aiming to give |
| accommodation and the large percentage | | | | positive advice and limited financial |
| of non-rated hotels will damage the | | | | assistance to the hotel industry |
| reputation of the city, and is keen for | | | | throughout London and the UK. |
| the hotel industry to get itself in | | | | Now that the gauntlet has been thrown |
| order. She said: "If the tourist | | | | down for hotels in London to make |
| industry is to reap the potential £2.1 | | | | significant improvements, it is |
| billion from the 2012 Olympic Games, | | | | important that they respond positively |
| then 85% of London's hotels must be | | | | if they are to fulfil the government's |
| accredited before then." | | | | aim of making the 2012 Olympic Games the |
| Hodge is concerned that many people | | | | start of a lasting legacy. |