Associations considering London for their next event are being offered exclusive value deals across the capital's transport infrastructure.
Visit London Association Sales Manager Becky Graveney has confirmed that following discussions with the convention bureau's travel partners, group rates for association congresses are now available. Visit London can also help with purchasing group Oyster travel cards in advance following a deal with Transport for London.
"Associations should contact us to apply for travel deals approximately a year prior to their event. These value deals include special online bookable rates with both British Airways and Virgin for flights as well as Eurostar train deals," said Graveney. "When arriving in the UK capital, associations may wish to take the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express or Dot2Dot executive coach service, which all offer group discounts for associations."
Visit London's deal with the body responsible for the UK capital's transport system - Transport for London (TfL) - allows the convention bureau to act on behalf of organisers, and ensure that delegates have a pre-paid travel card before they arrive in the city. Oyster travel cards cover London buses, tubes and Docklands Light Railway trains. They will also cover National Rail and river transport from January 2010.
The smart travel card can be ordered by organisers in either £10 or £20 denominations, with the card itself costing £2. Once delegates arrive in London, they are then able to top up their cards with additional travel funds at any London Underground station and many retail outlets. The Oyster card represents a 30% discount of normal travel prices around London.
