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