By Paull Tickner 

When massive events like the Olympic Games come to town, they bring with them many short and longer term benefits. However, they also create a lot of unhelpful negatives, like outrageous trans-Atlantic airfares, high hotel costs and perceptions of gridlocked traffic and overcrowded streets. This is what London is facing as it prepares to host the Games next summer.

I've attended four trade shows this autumn — see you at the Luxury Travel Expo in December? — and whenever I've broached the subject, travel agent interest at best has been minimal — but not for the reasons given above... (continue)