Research from the London-based association states that local tourism was adversely affected at each of the Olympics Games from Seoul in 1988 to Sydney in 2000 while early trends from the 2004 Games in Athens point to the same result.
In Australia, tourism growth of 10% a year prior to the 2000 Games is said to have fallen away two years after the Olympics, according to the report. “A reduction in the numbers of regular tourists halts the conveyor belt of satisfied customers bringing more visitors,” Tom Jenkins, executive director of the ETOA, told the Financial Times in London today
Since London was announced as the 2012 host one year ago this week, UK ministers have been stressing the opportunity that the Games represents for the tourism industry. VisitBritain which is the UK tourist board promoting the Games abroad is unmoved by the report and says the Olympics is the ultimate public relations opportunity for Britain.
