A London Blog

The damaging consequences of Boris Johnson's administration's attacks on the agencies for promoting London to tourists, foreign investors, foreign film makers, and foreign students continues.

One of the administration's first actions was to abolishthe integrated agency for promoting London – London Unlimited. All its staff were sacked and its budget eliminated. Now, however, after deliberation the administration has decided that London needs… an integrating body to co-ordinate marketing in different fields and has decided to set one up. A pity that was not thought of before the old one was  summarily abolished.!

For readers who want a taste of London's previous level of professionalism in large scale integrated marketing the blog Key Trends in Globalisation carries videos of examples of London's promotion in the key new emerging markets of India, China, and Russia. These are economies, in particular the first two, whose weight in the world economy will be greatly increased following the international financial crisis.  

Regarding Visit London, the city's tourism promotion agency, this blog has notedthat its budget was cut by £1.5 million and then an 'increase' by £750,000 announced – leaving in reality a cut of £750,000. James Bidwell has worked out his period before leaving as Chief Executive but no successor has been appointed – leaving Visit London with no permanent head during a period when London's tourism economy is supposed to be boosted in light of the international financial crisis.

This blog will note carefully how long until the appointment of a new Chief Executive and who it is – finding someone of the first rank is going to be no easy task given the damage Boris Johnson's administration has done to London's marketing. London's international  competitors will simply gain from the way the city's marketing machines has been damaged.