Tourist attractionsare urged to prepare for 2012 surge

Experts from the VisitBritain tourism agency said in a new report that London 2012 venues faced a bonanza because of the spotlight the Games would turn on the UK.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy will host sailing events for the 2012 Games.

A new survey from the National Brands Index said that a third of people questioned in 35 countries were more likely to visit the UK because of the Games.

Games committee boss Lord Coe described London 2012 as "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the UK to show all we offer" and that message has struck home in Weymouth and Portland.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's management committee chairman Coun Brian Ellis said the borough had to grab the Games with both hands.

"We have to make sure that we have a proper welcome ready for foreign visitors if we are to reap economic benefits before, during and after the Games. If we get in early we can make sure that the benefits to Weymouth and Portland carry on long after the Games are over.

"We have to realise that when visitors from another country arrive in Weymouth and Portland they need to be properly welcomed and, where possible, fully assisted as far as their living needs and requirements are concerned."

He added that there was a good tradition of language schools in Weymouth and Portland where foreign students could come to learn or improve their English.

But Mr Ellis said: "It may well be that Weymouth and Portland needs to consider the other side of the coin with the need for local people to learn some of the languages they are likely to encounter because of the Olympic Games.

"This will be particularly important for adults since many children are already learning several languages.

"Everything must be done to ensure that visitors feel welcome."

VisitBritain chief executive Tom Wright said the Games could realistically generate a potential £2 billion for Britain's visitor economy.