UK Tourism feels the Wills and Kate effect

The impending British royal wedding on April the 29th should provide a welcome boost for the tourist industry, but it is not all about curious foreigners arriving in London to lap up the atmosphere.

The extra bank holiday coincides with school half-term, so many Britons are deciding a long weekend can stretch into a week or more.

“Kate and William are particularly attractive in themselves, so I think people really want to come and enjoy the party atmosphere, come and enjoy London and really get a slice of the heritage and the history and all the attractions the city has got to offer,” says Eurostar’s Mary Walsh.

However some are deciding that it is a good time to flee. London will be invaded, and with all this merrymaking nothing is going to get done so they might as well go abroad, if they can afford it.

“The added bank holiday has certainly made us think we could achieve a nicer holiday, in that same period, so we’re very keen. And certainly amongst the school friends of my children, there have been lots of parents who have thought the same way,” said one sun-seeker.

No matter where they go in the world they can be virtually sure the wedding will follow them, as the global television audience is massive, so escape may be impossible.

Copyright © 2012 euronews