According to a new report from Visit London business tourism projects and venues across the capital will benefit from more than £11bn investment as a direct result of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The report, Capital Investment: the visitor benefits describes a wide range of developments, from hotels, shops and restaurants to transport and visitor attractions. It also highlights some of the ambitious community developments planned by London boroughs, including High Street 2012, which aims to improve and celebrate the high road which travels from the City across to the Olympic Park in Stratford; and regeneration of Burgess Park in Southwark.
New hotel openings include the 1,021-bedroom Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and renovation of the Savoy. Both are due to open in early 2010.
Tracy Halliwell, Visit London’s director of business tourism said, ‘With less than 1,000 days till the 2012 Games, we can already see how significantly the UK capital has changed. What is so exciting for business visitors is that they really don't need to wait – the transformation and benefits are happening and are on offer right now.’
Other key investments include:
- London Bridge Quarter: The Shard and New London Bridge House – completion 2012, investment £2bn
- The Heron Tower, City – completion 2011, investment £1.85bn
- East London Line extension –completion June 2010, investment £1bn
- Westfield Stratford –completion 2011, investment £1.45bn.
Barbara Jamison, sales manager Europe at Visit London added, ‘The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games provide a unique opportunity to showcase the capital's attractions, venues and activities available to the whole world.’
Investment in London’s visitor attractions include the renovation of the Meantime Brewery and the Cutty Sark tea clipper in Greenwich, due to re-open in spring 2010 and 2011 respectively. The new extension of Tate Modern – Tate Modern 2 – will open on the Southbank in time for the Games.
You can download a PDF copy of Capital Investment: the visitor benefits from the Visit London website.