An Olympics-focused customer care accreditation scheme for London's hospitality businesses is planned for the 2012 games.
The project, run by the London Development Agency (LDA), will be based on the findings of a three-month study that will report on customer service deficiencies in the industry in December.
Jane Riches, skills and employment manager for tourism, leisure and hospitality at the LDA, said: "We're looking to get long-term buy-in from employers and we can build on the good work already being done by some companies."
Riches said the programme would involve a minimum of one day's training at centres across the capital.
The skills gap in the hospitality industry was highlighted by LDA executive director Marc Stephens at a national tourism forum for the 2012 Olympic Games in London last week.
He told delegates that £3.5m of London taxpayers' money would be invested in training between 2005 and 2008. "We're taking the issue very seriously indeed," he added.
And Riches believes more cash will follow. "Between 2008 and 2012 we're looking to get about a further £5m to fund more training," she said.
- At the same conference, tourism minister Shaun Woodward called for London parks to be used as camp sites during the Olympic Games, which are expected to attract 10 million ticket-holders to London. Woodward said the sites should be aimed at lower-income families and students unable to afford hotels.
By Tom Bill