Ask the Experts: Preparing for the 2012 Games Part I
2012 Games: Opportunities for Hospitality industry
The success of London 2012 will not just be the Games themselves, but the whole city-wide experience. The welcome we will provide and the delivery of our hospitality will set the tone for the Games and reflect the excitement and the vibrancy of our great city.
The Mayor is committed to spreading the “look and feel” of the Games and the celebratory atmosphere throughout the capital. Live sites and cultural activity will attract people to venues and attractions around London, offering something for everyone.
With the potential for ‘halo’ effects from these events, there are considerations that hospitality operators need to give attention to so they can gain full benefit from the 2012 Games and thousands of extra visitors, in 2012 and beyond.
Keep your eye on the key dates in 2011
Have you planned how you will maximise the opportunities presented? Here are some important dates to keep in mind as you prepare your strategy for the 2012 Games:
- The full Olympic Games sports competition schedule will be launched this month (the equivalent for the Paralympics will be launched later in the year).
- 15 March: tickets for the Olympics go on sale and spectators will start thinking about their visit to London. 9 September: tickets for the Paralympics go on sale.
- One Year to Go till the Olympics (27.07.11) and Paralympics (29.08.11): countdown to spectators and visitors joining the celebrations
- New Year’s Eve 2011/12: the start of London’s Olympic year. All eyes will be on London as we move into 2012.
Identify your offer for the Games
Are you near a Games or major cultural venue, so will you want to stay open to entice post-event crowds? Could you sell space in your venue, your restaurant or your car park to companies for the duration of the Olympics, Paralympics or both?
Don’t forget to consult your local authority in case there are other considerations to take into account. Visit London’s event solutions team can help.
Also make sure you tap the wealth of helpful information at www.london2012.com and www.visitlondon.com
Accessibility
The Mayor is determined to deliver the most accessible Games ever. For Games time and beyond, interactive digital information about accessible attractions, hotels and other services will be available to assist disabled visitors plan their visit to London.
Only businesses that meet accessibility criteria will be eligible to be promoted through these channels. The portal will be launched soon - watch this space for how you can participate.
Value for money
Offer value for money for your services and provide an affordable stay for our visitors.
Visitors coming for the Games are potential returning customers. If they have a great experience they will return.
Visit London’s Fair Pricing and Practice Charter offers promotional opportunities to signatory businesses or venues that recognise the need to offer fair and reasonable prices. Signing up is a great way of demonstrating London is open for business and is THE city to visit in 2011, 2012 and beyond.
Working together
In planning for the Games and other major events, we want to work with the industry to showcase London’s hospitality offer and to deliver and outstanding welcome, so that industry and London’s visitor economy derives benefits well after 2012.
Through BigHospitality we will keep you abreast of how you can gain from the Games, other big events in London and developments in the city’s preparations for 2012.
