London 2012 set to boost tourism in Britain

Britain's tourism industry received a huge boost this afternoon when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose London as the destination for the 2012 Olympics.

A 126-hectare Olympic Park and a brand new Olympic stadium will provide east London with a major new tourist attraction.

But VisitBritain, the organisation responsible for marketing tourism in the UK, is predicting that every nation and region in Britain will receive additional tourists in the run up to, during and after the Olympic Games.

Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain said: "The IOC's decision confirms London's and Britain's places among the world's leading visitor destinations. It is as much a vote of confidence for Britain's tourism and leisure facilities as it is for our sporting venues and events.

"The games provide a great platform to boost the international marketing of both London and Britain as leisure, business and sporting destinations, particularly in new and emerging markets such as China, Greece, Korea, Poland and Thailand."

Based on Sydney's example the games could be worth well over £2 billion to Britain's tourism economy, VisitBritain says. Both London and Britain are already experiencing record years for tourism for the second year running.

The Dorset town of Weymouth is also celebrating news of the London 2012 win.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will host all Olympic sailing events in 2012.

A spokesman for Weymouth Borough council said: "We are truly thrilled at the decision. The prospect of hosting the Olympic sailing events is hugely exciting for Weymouth and Portland, it will have a fantastically positive effect on the borough, trigger substantial and lasting economic gains and will leave a fabulous legacy."