Prince William’s wedding expected to boost UK tourism

Prince William’s royal wedding with his longtime girlfriend, Kate Middleton, can boost UK tourism.

• Britain's Prince William and his fiancee Kate Middleton (L) pose for a photograph in St. James's Palace, central London November 16, 2010. Britain's Prince William is to marry his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton next year, after an on-off courtship lasting nearly a decade, bringing months of speculation about his intentions to an end.

Travel industry experts foresee the royal wedding as an opportunity to showcase all that is great about the country including its tourism products, royal monarchy and more. This would generate interest among travelers to visit England. It’s going to be a major wedding event since the royal wedding of Prince Charles and Diana in 1981.

Days after the April 29 ceremony, the country will invest in a glitzy $150-million campaign to lure tourists from abroad. Visit Britain, the country's official promoter, hopes that memories surrounding the wedding will persuade people to visit.