The European Tour Operators Association (ETOA) has found that some of its members are expecting a "significant downturn" in leisure tourism during the London 2012 Games.

ETOA canvassed 38 operators who bring more than 2 million people to the capital each year, with bookings for the Games period currently down 95 per cent on normal levels.

Forward sales projections published on 31 October also predict a 60 per cent fall in bookings for July and August outside the Games period and a 20 per cent shortfall for the rest of the year.

While the figures only represents the current leisure tourism trends, ETOA said that booking numbers will have to strengthen "enormously" to make up for the shortfall.

Meanwhile, if the London decline is replicated across the entire UK, it could lead to the loss of £3.5bn worth of business to the economy during July and August alone.

ETOA executive director Tom Jenkins said: "Clients tend to think that a city has priorities other than being a place to visit for a normal holiday, so some of this was to be expected.

"But this tendency is becoming absolute as the hotel rates climb in July and August. During the Olympic period itself, there is currently almost no demand from regular tourists."

Details: www.etoa.org

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