London's tourism industry 'may never recover' from the collapse in business caused by lockdown

"We ran one bus with a handful of passengers," said David Stafford, Executive Vice President, Big Bus London

London's tourist industry today warned the Prime Minister it might never recover from the collapse in business caused by lockdown.

Key players including hotel chains and tourist attractions urged Boris Johnson to fund a massive marketing campaign to promote the capital.

Bosses of 45 organisations also called on him to extend the business rates 'holiday' introduced at the start of the crisis.

In a letter they claimed 'London's tourism sector may sink to a place from which it cannot return.'

Firms including London Eye owner Merlin Entertainments, booking agency lastminute.com and Marriott Hotels said London was facing an economic crisis.More than 700,000 Londoners are normally employed in businesses which rely on visitors to the capital.

Florence Eshalomi added that the London tourism industry was "fundamental to the economic recovery of the capital."

• Heathrow suffers 95% drop in passengers in June

• Londoners urged to become tourists in their own city to help coronavirus recovery