Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is advising companies to “think carefully” about whether their travellers need to visit London during the Olympics.
Ian Windsor, HRG UK’s managing director, said: “It is important to recognise that the games may present our corporate clients with unusual circumstances when it comes to planning travel.”
The travel management company (TMC) is also suggesting business travellers avoid hotels in London, instead booking into serviced apartments or opting to stay outside the city.
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has been allocated 65% of London’s total available hotel bedrooms.
According to HRG calculations, this will leave as little as 12,000 rooms to be sold into the general market place, likely to leave business travellers struggling to find a bed.
“An event as large and complex as the Olympic Games requires a huge amount of careful, advanced planning. This is the approach we are adopting too,” said Windsor.
Staying outside the city is a “particularly prudent” option as Network Rail is ensuring London sees 2,000 extra train services over the Olympics, according to Windsor.
“By encouraging and supporting our clients to think about their requirements in 2012 well in advance, we will be in the strongest possible position next summer to accommodate their needs,” he added.