Aim is to drive luxury-goods shopping pre-2012 Olympics
A group of high-profile UK luxury goods companies, including Burberry, Harrods and Fortnum & Mason, has joined forces to launch a campaign to promote London as a luxury-goods shopping destination in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.

The Great Britain! The Greatest Brands campaign is asking for increased Government support and the formation of a task force to look at easing visa restrictions for visitors from emerging markets such as China, Russia and the Middle East.

Representatives of the campaign, organised by luxury goods group Walpole, also want to arrange meetings with the Prime Minister and the Mayor of London to discuss the issue.

Walpole deputy chairman Guy Slater said: 'Our luxury brands help drive interest in Britain and, although the luxury industry is very strong at present, there are some issues we need to deal with if we are really to get our act together in the run-up to the Olympics. We need to act now.'

The 2012 Olympics is forecast to benefit the economy by£2 billion.

At present, Britain is attracting a record number of tourists - 30 million last year - but, overall, they are spending less time here.

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