London, May 2 (IANS) The royal wedding and the 2012 London Olympics are being hailed as showcase events that will bring in billions of pounds for the British tourism industry.
A four-year marketing campaign by VisitBritain – the national tourism agency – will help Britain cash in on its rich heritage.
‘The marketing campaign is aiming to deliver four million extra visitors to Britain over the four years, two billion pounds in additional visitor spending and 50,000 new jobs across the country,’ Culture Minister John Penrose told parliament.
‘We intend to capitalise on the huge tourism opportunity they will create by constructing a marketing fund of more than 100 million pounds, with leading companies already pledging support to help match the 50 million pounds of public money the government has committed,’ he was quoted as saying by the Daily Express.
Britain is expected to attract 30 million visitors in 2011 – 300,000 more than last year.
The visitors will spend an estimated 17.2 billion pounds this year.
The British Retail Consortium and price comparison website moneysupermarket.com said that people reportedly spent 480 million pounds celebrating the royal wedding.
Sales of plastic spoons were up 900 percent, ice cubes 530 percent and burger buns 315 percent.
There were also high sales of barbecue food, champagne, berries, cream and Mint Viennetta, said to be Prince William’s favourite ice cream.
Face painting kits and flat screen TV sets also sold well.
An 18 pound copy of Kate’s engagement ring sold like hot cakes.
Retailers also sold 40,000 bouquets, which placed end to end would have lined the wedding route nine times.
