UK tourism will get a boost from Middle East travellers after the end of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, tourism officials said. Tourism in Great Britain is worth more than Dh655 billion ($178 billion) a year and officials expect that the country will receive 30.7 million visitors, which is broadly in line with 2011. For the summer months of July and August, the UK is expecting around six million overseas visitors. 2011 visitor growth from the UAE, specifically, was up 13 per cent over the same time last year, at 240,000 visitors.
“A vast array of late summer deals are attracting UAE families after Games Time, especially with Eid due to fall on August 19 and UAE schools not resuming until September 9, leaving visitors with ample time to enjoy a cooler, summer holiday in the UK,” said Carol Maddison, UAE manager for VisitBritain.
From Shakespeare at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to the glamour of the BBC Proms, where the programme is packed with world-renowned musicians, and the incredible atmosphere at Europe’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival, many attractions are available for the UAE family, whether they seek out culture, history or the modern arts.
Visitors who book between August 13 and September 13 will be offered a multitude of packages from a varied mix of four- and five-star hotels and extended-stay apartments, like three nights for the price of two with Elite Hotels. Families with children can enjoy free stays for the kids at One Aldwych, conveniently located in Covent Garden, in the middle of London.
UAE professionals can kick back and enjoy some well-deserved time off with The Great Getaway sale at the Hilton Hotels, saving up to 40 per cent for bookings made before September 30 for stays until December 30 at participating hotels across London. Visitors can also book two nights at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair from August 15 until September 15 and get a third night free.
For Gulf visitors travel to London during the holy month of Ramadan, they can plan on enjoying Iftar breakfast options at hotels like the Rocco Forte, which will offer a Lebanese style menu, created with Middle Eastern traveller in mind.
International industry consultant Business Monitor International (BMI) has forecast 35.08 million tourist arrivals into Britain for 2012, with the ‘legacy effect’ of the games expected to last up to a decade. According to a research by the national tourism agency VisitBritain, VisitLondon and Oxford Economics, in the post-games period of 2013-2017, a legacy effect of £1.27 billion ($1.9 billion) is forecast for the UK and of £0.88 billion ($1.3 billion) for London alone.