Locum Destination Review - Issue 18

The journal of record for the global destination industry

Editorial

A very warm welcome to the 18th issue of Locum Destination Review. Over the course of previous issues of Locum Destination Review, we have brought you leading-edge, independent analysis of the key challenges facing destination managers throughout the UK and beyond, and in this issue we explore the full range of challenges affecting destination makers in Olympic host cities and countries. The broad theme of this issue is ‘legacy and dividend’, and the manifold short- and long-term opportunities that Olympic events offer to businesses and organisations throughout the host country. As in previous issues, we have persuaded some of the leading lights in the fields of regeneration, tourism, culture and sport to put pen to paper, and we are most grateful for their contributions.

While much of our coverage focuses on planning for the events of 2012, and how destination managers might seek to maximise opportunities to benefit from them in different ways, we must stress that this publication does not reflect any association between Locum Consulting and LOCOG (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) or any other body responsible for delivering the 2012 Olympics. Rather, it is an expression of Locum’s thought leadership in the field of destination planning and management, to be regarded as an independent source of authoritative analysis and comment on the issues at stake.

We hear from senior representatives of two organisations that will play a critical role in regenerating the part of east London that is to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games: Gareth Blacker, Director of Olympic Land at the London Development Agency, and Peter Andrews, Chief Executive of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. They outline the regeneration strategies that are being put in place to ensure not only a wonderful setting for the 2012 Games but also long-term employment opportunities for local residents, well beyond the event itself.

When all the medals have been handed out and the crowds have gone home, what will become of the sporting venues and the Olympic Park? And who, ultimately, will be held accountable for delivering real dividends from the London Games? Locum and Gleeds have been thinking about these questions, and how they fit into the overall challenge of maximising long-term benefits from the 2012 Olympics. Neil Webster of Gleeds introduces the foundations of our Vision for sustainable legacy that has emerged from this thought process, and outlines how it seeks to overcome the political and strategic tension that exists between the many Olympic stakeholders.

Beyond all of the activity in east London, the 2012 Games could, and should, result in dividends for businesses across the UK. From a tourism perspective, the Olympics provide an unprecedented opportunity to market London and the UK to the world, as press coverage intensifies in the build-up to to 2012. There has been speculation that all the Olympic exposure could help to transform the UK’s tourism balance of payments from a current deficit of £17 billion to a £2 billion surplus. In his article, Ken Robinson suggests that this might even be an underestimation, but argues that early Government commitment to adequate budgets will be essential if tourism revenues are to be increased on this sort of scale.

Will the cultural sector be able to benefit from the London Games? Based on the evidence presented by Beatriz Garcia and Andy Miah, London will do well to secure meaningful coverage for its Olympic cultural programme, whatever form it takes, but organisers can learn a great deal from the experience of Athens, Sydney and most recently Turin. We talk to Craig Hassall, the Head of the Cultural Programme for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, about the cultural programming process in Sydney, the cultural legacies that stemmed from the programme, and how London’s own cultural programmers can make the most of the Olympic opportunity in the four years up to and including 2012.

We open the issue by interviewing the incomparable Sir Steve Redgrave, who has recently taken up a new role as an ambassador for Gleeds. Having been a source of inspiration to the British public and countless athletes the world over for many years, Sir Steve is now relishing the prospect of drawing on his vast Olympic experience to help establish perhaps the greatest legacy of all from London: a fitter and healthier nation, and greater opportunities for young people of all abilities to get more involved in sport.

Whatever your situation and whatever your own challenges, we hope that you find our diverse collection of articles thought-provoking, insightful and illuminating.

Jim Roberts
Issue Editor