Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in September 2022 sparked widespread public interest and reignited conversations about the value of the monarchy. This article explores the intricate relationship between the royal family and UK tourism, both nationwide and within specific regions, examining the potential socio-economic legacy of the late Queen.
Royalty’s Economic Influence: A Tangled Web
We’ve researched the multifaceted connection between royalty and tourism, both in the UK and internationally. While the symbolic and cultural roles of monarchies are undeniable, precisely quantifying the UK monarchy’s economic influence remains a complex task. The monarchy’s influence on society is interwoven and multifaceted, making it difficult to isolate its pure economic impact.
Adding to the challenge, accurately measuring the economic impact of tourism itself is problematic. Despite these hurdles, recent studies have estimated the UK monarchy’s business value at a staggering £67.5 billion (up from £44 billion in 2012), with an annual contribution to the UK economy of £1.766 billion. These estimates encompass indirect economic effects on tourism, trade, media, and the arts.
A Royal Boost for Tourism: A Glimpse into the Numbers
Since 2017, a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact and brand value of the UK monarchy hasn’t been published. Yet, considering major public events since then (royal weddings and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022), and factoring in the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we can anticipate a significant increase in tourism-related economic gains since the 2017 figures. This indicates a potential impact exceeding £550 million.
Buckingham Palace: A Royal Magnet for Tourists
While Visit Britain, the national tourism agency, doesn’t specifically track the royal family as an attraction, research suggests that 60% of overseas visitors to Britain are likely to visit places associated with the royal family. In London, over a third of tourists list Buckingham Palace as a top priority. The Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, consistently ranks among the UK’s most popular paid-for attractions.
Regional Impact: The Royal Touch Beyond London
The economic influence of royal tourism extends beyond London, encompassing both domestic and inbound visitors, linked to attractions and events connected to the royal family’s past and present. However, the regional employment benefits of using the monarchy as a place representation tool have received relatively little attention.
While most UK visitor attractions have no direct royal connections, there’s a tendency to prioritize England and London in royal-themed placemaking. Nevertheless, the distribution of royal properties and regional titles for working royals extends more broadly across the UK. The island of Anglesey in Wales, former home to the now Prince and Princess of Wales, reportedly witnessed a 20% increase in tourism business during their residency. King Charles III’s Welsh property, Llwynywermod, showcases local craftsmanship. Following Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, London has seen a surge in hotel room prices, reflecting the capital’s enduring popularity.
The Mystery of Royalty: A Shrouded Marketing Strategy
We’ve observed a general tendency among public sector tourism agencies to emphasize royal associations with specific locations, adopting a deferential approach. This might stem from a desire to maintain the mystique of royalty, leading to the absence of living royal imagery in tourism promotional materials. This trend seems to extend to the private sector as well. For instance, Yew Tree Farm in Borrowdale, previously visited by King Charles III, refrains from mentioning his patronage in their marketing. It’s difficult to assess any resulting visitor impact on the region.
In contrast, English Heritage readily promotes the Isle of Wight as an opportunity to “Holiday like Queen Victoria.” Similarly, Welsh locations leverage royal heritage themes to attract niche markets. King Charles III has shown a willingness to increase public access to royal residences, with Balmoral in Scotland recently announcing plans to reopen with free admission to the grounds, offering visitors a place to reflect on Queen Elizabeth II’s life.
Beyond the Bottom Line: A Royal Legacy
Royal tourism extends beyond economic gain and commercial exploitation, which is often a contentious point in the relationship between tourism and monarchy. There’s also a political and socio-cultural context to consider. The public’s response to the monarchy and the UK royal family in tourism is woven into the fabric of society and popular culture.
The loss of Queen Elizabeth II has profoundly impacted symbolic influence, social positioning, and cultural functions linked to her presence (and now her absence). Her power to draw tourists from both within and outside the UK is undeniable, though difficult to quantify precisely. Dedicated “Royal Tourists” often express a psychological need for royal narratives and a desire to participate in imagined royal lives. However, within the devolved nations of Scotland and Wales, tensions around the transition of the monarchy exist.
Uncertain Futures: A Legacy in the Making
Early predictions about the immediate economic impacts of the Queen’s passing focused on the designation of her state funeral and subsequent coronation as UK public holidays, forecasting a GDP loss between £1.2 billion and £6 billion. However, the potential long-term impacts have received less attention.
The depth and breadth of emotional responses to Queen Elizabeth II’s passing highlight the significance of her loss. At present, it’s premature to fully assess her legacy on UK society, national and regional identities, and, in turn, UK tourism. The future of UK tourism and its relationship with the monarchy remains an intriguing and evolving story.
