Games-time hotel rooms released

120,000 room nights will now be available for visitors to London this summer The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has confirmed that approximately 20% of hotel room nights it had reserved in London will be returned to the hotels. More than 120,000 room nights at more than 200 hotels will now be available to visitors to London this summer from 5 star to budget hotels.

As part of the bid to stage the London 2012 Games, agreements were struck with hotels in 2005 to provide more than 40,000 hotel rooms, representing more than 600,000 room nights. These rooms are to provide accommodation for the world's media, International Sport Federations, the International Olympic Committee, people working at the Games and sponsors. As part of these agreements, LOCOG promised to return any unwanted rooms back to the hotels so they could sell them in time for the summer of 2012.

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton commented, 'The hotel industry in London got behind the bid to stage the Games in the most extraordinary way and that support helped us across the line. We always promised that we would not hold on to hotel rooms we didn't need but return them to the individual hotels at the beginning of 2012. We are now doing this and I hope that this enables the hotels to continue with their planning for this summer as we all work together to stage a spectacular Games.'

Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain CEO said, 'We welcome today's announcement by LOCOG that they will be releasing around 20 per cent of the hotel rooms that they have held in advance of the Games taking place. The fact that such a wide spread of rooms in London will now be made available to the public is great news for overseas visitors wishing to come to the UK to experience the Olympics and all the other wonderful festivities that are taking place over the summer.

'LOCOG's commitment to free up any surplus rooms shows that it recognises the vital role that the tourism industry has to the overall success of the Games. This is an important and timely boost for the sector as it looks to enhance the image of the UK as a destination of choice, showcasing the very best of what Britain has to offer overseas visitors and helping create a tourism legacy for years to come.' Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners said "We are delighted that LOCOG is releasing hotel stock back into the market place, and London deliver on its promise to make these 'Everyone's Games'. We look forward working with our hotel partners in the capital to ensure that domestic and international visitors enjoy being in the best big city on earth at this magical time".

Barry Wishart from the Grange Hotel group said, "We were only too happy to support London's bid for the Games and we are proud to continue that support. Now LOCOG has confirmed these details, we are able to confirm our plans for this summer and help our customers be part of this extraordinary event."

For more information, visit: www.london2012.com

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