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Hotels in the UK are being urged to drop their "Fawlty Towers" image ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

New plans released today by the government and tourism bosses aim to increase the number of hotels listed as part of the country's national star-grading scheme for tourist accommodation.

The proposals are part of a wider strategy to gear the UK's £85 billion tourism industry up for the 2012 games, which are set to attract millions of visitors from overseas.

Ministers say that just 53 per cent of tourist accommodation providers are currently signed up to the national star-rating scheme, while just 34 per cent of accommodation in London is graded according to any kind of quality mark.

As part of plans announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, officials are aiming to drive up standards by ensuring that 85 per cent of hotels are accredited under the national star-grading scheme.

The strategy also addresses the need to develop a skilled workforce within the tourism sector, with the aim of providing better customer service to visitors. The government claims that the UK currently ranks 14th out of 40 countries in terms of the welcome it provides to visitors.

Officials have launched the plans in the wake of claims made by forecast company Oxford Economics, which says that the London 2012 games could generate an additional £1.2 billion for the UK's tourism sector.

Announcing the new strategy, tourism minister Margaret Hodge said: "London 2012 is a huge opportunity for the UK tourism industry.

"In five years time millions of visitors will be coming here for the first time and we want them to come back time and time again - and bring their family and friends. It's about creating a lasting legacy," she explained.