The London Development Agency (LDA) is using London’s position as the next Olympic and Paralympic host city to drive investment in the capital as a place to train, visit and do business.

On the record success of the Paralympics GB, the most successful Paralympics team of modern times winning a total of 102 medals - 42 gold, 29 silver, 31 brownze, the LDA partnered VisitBritain and ParalympicsGB to hold a series of events close to the Olympic site in Beijing to highlight London’s business opportunities to investors as a leading world city, including the development of the Olympic Park site post 2012; promote London as a training venue for 2012 Paralympic teams; and promote London’s tourism offer in terms of accessibility.

The events hosted by, among others, London Mayor Boris Johnson, Chairman of LOCOG Sebastian Coe, Minister for the Olympics and London, Tessa Jowell MP, follow the success of London House which the LDA had set up during the Beijing Games in August. 10,000 guests attended more than 50 seminars, receptions and business meeting at London House, to learn what London has to offer across tourism, higher education and the creative sectors to an industry targeted audience.

Peter Rogers, Chief Executive of the LDA, said:

“The Paralympic Games have provided us with a unique opportunity to promote London’s diverse offer on a world stage. London is an ideal place for Paralympic teams to set up training camps and the capital’s facilities will continue to improve as an accessible place for everyone to visit.

“The LDA's business activity in Beijing will build on the interest generated last month through London House. We want to encourage international businesses to bid for Olympic contracts through CompeteFor and get involved in the tremendous legacy opportunities to develop the Olympic Park post 2012.”

Mike Brace, Chairman of ParalympicsGB, added:

"We're immensely proud of the achievements of the ParalympicsGB team at these Games and there is also a level of considerable excitement, amongst the athletes and support staff, at the prospect of a home-based Games in 2012."

Sandie Dawe, VisitBritain’s director of strategy and communications, said:

“The UK has a proud history of achievement and excellence in paralympic sport. As the birthplace of the paralympic movement, we have the ideal opportunity to rival other destinations by raising accessibility standards and so secure a reputation as the most welcoming destination in the world.

“Our presence in Beijing this summer for both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has proved an unmissable learning opportunity and will enable us to ensure that tourism is among the beneficiaries of London 2012. It marks the first stage of our strategy to spread the economic benefits of the Paralympic Games throughout the UK and raise the profile and awareness of Britain as a destination.”