The DCMS has published its plans to ensure the UK tourism industry receives an additional £2.1bn when London hosts the 2012 Olympic Games.

The document, Winning: A Tourism Strategy for 2012 and Beyond, was drawn up with the help of VisitBritain and Visit London and provides a blueprint to help the £85bn industry gear up to receive the influx of new visitors in the lead up to London 2012 and afterwards.

According to the DCMS, only 53 per cent of the country’s accommodation is signed up to the national star-grading scheme and only 34 per cent of the capital’s hotels has any kind of quality mark.

The strategy aims to change that by engaging all UK businesses in a new campaign aimed at domestic and overseas visitors beginning at the Beijing handover in 2008; to develop a skilled workforce providing better customer service; drive up accommodation quality by increasing the number of places that are accredited under the star-grading scheme to 85 per cent; promote the UK as a location for international business visits and conferences and improve sustainability by ensuring that the needs of the environment are central to the development of the tourism industry.

Tourism minister Margaret Hodge said: “London 2012 is a huge opportunity for the UK tourism industry. In five years time millions of visitors will be coming here for the first time and we want them to come back time and time again and bring their family and friends. It's about creating a lasting legacy.

“This strategy will help every sector of the industry – from the smallest B&B to the largest chain hotel, from the quiet seaside town to the noisy theme park – gear up, improve its service and improve its welcome in time for 2012.”