England expects: Royal baby could cause tourism surge as well-wishers flock to UK

As London wakes up to the aftermath of a giant party on the Mall and the announcement that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have a son, there are hopes that the birth of the new royal baby will spark a tourism boom as well-wishers flock to the UK share in the joy.

Flying the flag: London saw happy scenes on Monday (left) after the Duchess of Cambridge (right) gave birth

The one-day-old Prince of Cambridge is now third in line to the throne, and the thought of baby toys littering the floor of Kensington Palace – where new parents William and Kate are to make their life as a freshly-hatched family unit – is likely to be an appealing one for overseas visitors, says Lady Cobham, chairman of the tourist body Visit England.
"The Royal Family has long been an asset to English tourism, but never more so than right now, with people across the world in a fever pitch of excitement around the arrival of the royal baby," she says.
"The new addition to the Royal Family allows us to celebrate our rich heritage and highlight what families can enjoy on a visit to England."
Britain enjoyed a bumper tourism year in 2012, thanks in part to the royal festivities that surrounded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee (the Olympics, of course, also had an effect).

A royal rainbow of colour: The London Eye turned red, pink, blue and purple to mark the big news

There were 31.084 million tourist visits to the UK in 2012 – the highest figure since 2008, when the economic downturn began.
These 31 million visitors generated a spend of £18.64billion, at an average of £600 a head per visit – with an average stay per person of 7.4 nights.
Lady Cobham hopes that the big news, coupled with the scenes of celebration which played out across the capital on Monday evening – which saw landmarks including the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the fountains in Trafalgar Square illuminated in blue to mark the occasion – will draw in further holidaymakers from overseas.

In focus: Kensington Palace, where the new young family will live, will be a source of tourist interest

“The spell cast by the monarchy’s 1000 year history, combined with the international media frenzy around the royal baby, is extremely powerful at drawing people to England,” she continues.
“The global excitement shows that Britain’s monarchic heritage draws tourists to just about every corner of the country.
“In turn, the birth will also heighten the profile of England’s royal attractions, from Kensington Palace where the Duke and Duchess will live, to Windsor Castle and the Sandringham estate.

Congratulations: Well-wishers gathered outside Buckingham Palace yesterday evening

“England’s distinctive royal palaces are a very important part of our heritage and culture. In 2012 alone, 4.7million holidaymakers visited a historic house, stately home or palace.”
Excitement about the royal birth has been felt in London for weeks, with hotels rushing to capitalise on interest in the new Prince of Cambridge.
The Hilton London Kensington – which sits a short walk from Kensington Palace and the sleepless nights that will be a feature of the coming weeks – is currently offering a ‘Tot-ter Around Kensington’ package. This involves a two-night shopping break where mums to be can enjoy a fix of glamour before their own little arrival.
Elsewhere, the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane – just around the corner from Buckingham Palace – has converted one of its luxury suites into a five-star nursery.

At the gates: Tourism officials expect the scenes of excitement in London to generate visits from overseas

This new-born paradise was created with the help of children's interior design company Dragons of Walton Street.
The company has form when it comes to royal children – Princes William and Harry, plus their cousins Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice all slept in Dragons of Walton Street nurseries.