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SOUTH OF ENGLAND & ISLE OF WIGHT


Windsor


The much anticipated royal wedding in Windsor will be a highlight for tourists visiting the south of England in May this year. Samantha Mayling reports


T


he wedding of Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle will turn the global spotlight on


Windsor in May. When the wedding was announced


late last year, there was a flurry of bookings for hotels in Windsor and royal watchers have been flocking to the town to see where the regal nuptials will take place on May 19. Reports estimate that the wedding


will provide a £1 billion boost to the UK economy as thousands of tourists flock to glimpse the couple on their special day.


14 TravelGBI | February 2018


And with the bride being a celebrity in the US and Canada, an influx of visitors from across the Atlantic is also expected.


� WORLDWIDE REACH Nigel Smith, chief executive at Tourism South East (TSE), said: “The south east of England is lining up to host probably some of the most popular events in the UK for 2018. Undoubtedly, the most-watched event globally will be the wedding of Prince Harry and his American bride Meghan Markle. “Taking place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, it will have a worldwide


reach – raising the profile of Windsor and its rich mixture of cultural, sporting, heritage and family attractions.” But the royal wedding is just one of


several highlights for the region in 2018, meaning the trade has plenty to be enthusiastic about. Smith said: “After a mixed 2017, this


year promises to offer some amazing opportunities to groups of all kinds. “From one of the world’s most


anticipated royal events for some years to new attractions and evocative anniversaries, the region’s industry continues to develop and invest for the future of the visitor economy which is worth over £12 billion to the region, supporting over 400,000 jobs.” He said overseas visitor numbers to the south east continued to rise during 2017, but domestic trips were hit as economic conditions continued to affect leisure spending.


South east England is lining up to host some of the most popular events in the UK for 2018


travelgbi.com


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