Britain’s monarchy generates well over £500 million a year from overseas tourists, according to research from VisitBritain.
The survey found that culture and heritage, in the widest sense and including theatres, galleries, castles and stately homes – generated £4.6 billion in total spending by overseas tourists in 2009, and supported 100,000 jobs.
Within that total one in eight sites – ranging from the Tower of London to The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and Ruthin Castle in Wales – are associated with monarchy. The report reveals that foreign tourists who visited them generated £500 million of spending, directly and indirectly.
Of the 30 million overseas visitors who came to Britain last year 5.8 million visited a castle, 5 million an historic house and 6.4 million a religious monument such as a cathedral.
The Tower of London, scene of the beheading of Anne Boleyn, was the top royal attraction for international visitors in 2009 with 2.4 million visitors. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich which incorporates The Queen’s House, home to the wives of James I and Charles II and the Royal Observatory was second on 2.3 million.
Edinburgh Castle received 1.1 million visitors. Windsor Castle, a principal residence of both Queen Elizabeth I and II, attracted 987,000.
VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe said: ‘This fascinating research shows Britain’s monarchic heritage draws foreign tourists to just about every corner of the country from Scotland to Cornwall. Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, a feat last accomplished back in 1897 by Queen Victoria. This report suggests that year she is going to generate a bonanza for British tourism.’
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