Tourism chiefs in UK retain sunny disposition

Tourism chiefs have poured cold water on any suggestion that bad weather over the Jubilee weekend would deter overseas visitors from coming to the UK.

Sunday’s River Thames pageant seen on TV around the world took place in chilly, wet conditions, while the rain also ruined many street parties.

But according to VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford “the pageantry outshone the weather”.

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He added that the Olympic Torch relay was proving a tremendous boost to tourism and the Games themselves were a wonderful opportunity to “showcase the UK to the world”.

Mr Berresford went on: “Yes, we had some rain this last weekend, but the bad weather was a bit player to the pomp, ceremony and celebration. The weather in the UK is always a topic of conversation and without the rain we would not have this green and pleasant land. Fortunately the Torch relay began in fine weather and media coverage of the event from all round the world showed the country in bright sunshine.”

He continued: “The Torch relay is really grabbing people’s attention and is also helping to promote the country to domestic tourists.

“Normally, domestic tourism in countries hosting the Olympics does not do that well, but with the Jubilee and the Torch relay, as well as cultural events accompanying the Games, the UK is set to buck that trend.”

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