London's tourist economy may reap no long-term benefits from hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, according to a new report released today (6 July).
The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) study found that between 1988 and 2000, Olympic host cities witnessed a drop in international visitor arrivals in the years following the Games.
Tom Jenkins, ETOA executive director, conceded the findings were at odds with other studies, but argued that the Olympics deterred regular tourists from visiting and disrupted the normal visitor cycle.
VisitBritain's director of strategy and communications, Sandie Dawe, disagreed but admitted a successful Games was not automatic.
She said: "We do need a joined-up strategy but anyone who believes hosting a major sporting event does nothing for a country's image needs to look at Germany and the World Cup."
Kurt Jansen, policy director at Tourism Alliance agreed there was no guarantee the Olympics would benefit the sector. "It's not a god-given right that the tourism industry will do well," he said.
He called for a strong strategy and specific government funding to help ensure the UK benefited from the Games.