London’s tourism agency, Visit London, and the national tourist board, VisitBritain, today host a reception for Chinese media to showcase London and Britain as host city and nation of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Visit London’s Chief Executive, James Bidwell said that, as host cities for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Beijing and London had been brought even closer together. He said:

“Visit London will be focusing on how we can translate the excitement of the Chinese people about their own Olympic Games into enthusiasm for London’s Games in 2012. Our ambition is to capture the spirit that is bringing millions of Chinese domestic visitors to Beijing and make London the next obvious choice as a visitor destination. We expect visits to London from China to grow by over 400 per cent by 2012, outpacing the growth rates in many of our traditional markets.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said:

“The Chinese are witnessing just what a great spectacle and fun the Games can be on their home soil. In four years time they can repeat this unique experience in London where there is so much to see and do from theatres and museums to our restaurants that cater for every taste in the world. Our Chinese visitors will be spoilt for choice in a city that will offer them the warmest of welcomes".

The reception at the British Embassy forms part of Visit London’s programme to promote the British capital to Chinese visitors during the Beijing Games.

London's Olympic heritage is represented by the Olympic Torch from the 1948 London Olympic Games, while archive film footage of London, curated by the British Film Institute, will enable the viewer to explore the hidden corners and more familiar landmarks of London's past and present.

A further specially commissioned film directed by Martyn Pick, an up-and-coming British director, uses the voyage of a paper sailing boat down the River Thames to reveal contemporary London.

Latest figures show that Chinese visitors to London increased by 26% to 82,000 in 2007 spending a record £63m. Visit London forecasts that by 2012 visits to the city from China will rise to 350,000, that is over 400 per cent increase within four years.

Like Beijing, London is expecting to see an increase in tourism as a result of staging the Olympic Games, including many more visitors from China.

Related links:National Maritime Museum
　　　　　　　City Cruises
　　　　　　　London Theatre Tours
　　　　　　　The Royal CollectionsBuckingham Palace and Winsdor Castle
　　　　　　　Via London City Airport