New online package for London’s hotels and B&Bs

Hotels and B&Bs in London can now benefit from a new online package which gives practical advice on improving quality of service, making the most of 2012 Games and tapping into new markets. The London Development Agency's (LDA) Capital Stay 'e-book' is part of its commitment to improving the quality of accommodation in the capital.

Available at www.lda.gov.uk/getgraded, Capital Stay is a one stop online package of advice, worksheets and video clips to help accommodation businesses in the capital stay a step ahead. It offers advice and useful tips on:

• Getting to know your customer: Helps accommodation providers understand  current market trends in order to provide the best possible service.
• London 2012 : Practical advice on how businesses can make the most of the opportunities arising from the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Improving your business: Advice on how to become star rated in the national  grading scheme  and market your accommodation business effectively. Looks at the visitor journey and how businesses  can influence the whole stay – not just time spent in the accommodation.
• 60 second fact sheets:  Practical advice and tips on how to improve your business including case studies and advice on writing a business plan. Useful contacts are also included as part of the Capital Stay 'e-book'.

Carolyn Smith, director of international promotion and visitor economy at the LDA, said:

"The quality of service in hotels and B&Bs across the London has a huge impact on a visitor's overall experience. With the 2012 Games just four years away and increasing visitor numbers expected, improving the quality of London’s accommodation has never been more important - the Capital Stay e-book will help businesses achieve this."

Tommy Moran of the Crown Moran Hotel in Cricklewood, said:

"This book is full of good suggestions and practical help. Running an accommodation business isn't easy and even the most successful and profitable places need constant attention. We are constantly looking for new ideas to make our business better.

"We know that the more we improve the quality of our service and improve our visitors' experience,  the more they are likely to return and to recommend us to friends and colleagues. Repeat business greatly improves our profit."

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For media enquiries, please contact Katy Atkins at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8386; or call Robyn Griffith-Jones at LiveTourism on 020 8404 3293 for public enquiries, please call 020 7593 9000; for out of hours media enquiries, please call 07977 439 371.

Notes to Editors

• The London Development Agency (LDA) works to improve the quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.
• The LDA is responsible for tourism development in the capital and provides grant funding to Visit London for the marketing of London as a world-class city. With the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games just a few years away, the LDA is now placing special emphasis on improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of London as a visitor destination.
• London is the number one city destination in the world for international travel. Total visitor spending in the capital equals around £15 billion per year.