Press Cuttings Transcripts
Conference centre could help London grab slice of £100bn market
e-TID.com, 13 February 2004
The London Development Agency has set up Mayoral Commission to see whether
London needs a large-scale international convention centre. The Commission will
‘explore thoroughly the potential benefits’ of building a convention centre and
examine whether there is any existing venue in London that could be developed.
It will also look more widely at other initiatives to ‘ensure London maximises
its potential in the multi-billion pound business travel sector’
Gerry Acher, chair of the Commission, said: ‘A successful convention centre
could mean a quantum leap for London, not just in business tourism but more
generally. ‘The international market for hosting large conferences is worth
more than £100bn a year and growing fast; it may come as a surprise to many
that London can’t compete for that business at present.’
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, added: ‘We know business visitors who come to
London don’t just sit in meetings while they are here. They already boost the
economy by an incredible £3bn a year and combine business with leisure, often
with their families, both in London and in other parts of the country.’
The need to investigate the case for an international convention centre in the
capital was highlighted in ‘Visit London, the Mayor’s Plan for Tourism in
London’, which was published in September 2002. The Mayoral Commission will
hold its first meeting in the next month, while an initial report on its
investigations is expected within a year.
See also: Visit Britain ponders England Convention Bureau to drive business
tourism (21/11/03)