Royal Wedding = big bucks for Canadian travel agents
Canadians are suckers for romance.
It’s why the diamond biz is worth billions, Jennifer Aniston is still a mega-celeb and Twilight fans continue flocking to the series’ next instalment – when the movies, by all accounts, even those of vampire backers themselves, kinda suck.
Yet such infatuation will never change, and that’s why the latest tale of universal romance – Prince William’s engagement to Kate Middleton two weeks ago – has captured Canada, too. And you bet the business world isn’t far behind.
According to recent reports, next April’s Royal Wedding could just mean big money to Canadian travel agencies, who are fast planning destination packages so Canucks can take part in the Prince's nuptials.
April 29th is the date, of course, a day likely to boast awful U.K. weather but certainly to feature thousands of tourists from across the globe at Westminster Abbey, where the ceremony will be held.
“This is sort of our generation’s big royal wedding,” Daniel Whaley, a member of the Monarchist League of Canada, told the Canadian Press. “In ’81, it was Charles and Diana and everyone can remember usually where they were when they watched that on TV. You kind of want to be a part of that.”
Remarkably, while it may be the delusion of many Canucks to actually attend the Royal Wedding (access to Westminster Abbey will surely be restricted during the event), there are even tourist packages tracing the “romance trail” of William and Kate. Notes CP, those who can’t sit at the bride and groom’s table can instead hop on U.K. tours to noteworthy spots of the pair’s relationship – St. Andrews University where the two met, or to Anglesey, North Wales, where the couple will live once they’re married.
Still, the meat of Canada’s Royal Wedding tourist packages will be to London next April, and some travel agents even suggest airfare from Canada to the U.K. will skyrocket in the days leading up to the wedding.
Maybe, that’s true. If you look on Air Canada’s website, round-trip tickets from, for example, Toronto to London go up about $30 the day before April 29th. Yet the whole flights-will-be-crazy-expensive argument may not hold water in the long run, so if you want to chase the romance of the Royal Wedding next spring, don’t let any of that spook you.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Sheld | Nov 30, 2021 6:14:11 PM
Pretty sad that they are spending all of OUR money for their wedding. Just think of how they got that money in the first place. They killed and raped everyone when they ruled the Mid-Evil times, took all of the land and now expect us to pay them for our land in the first place. Statement that was used by them which we should use at them....OFF WITH THE HEADS. :)
Posted by: Catherine G. | Nov 30, 2021 7:02:58 PM
Where do you think it will be our money that pays for the wedding? Get a grip and learn to spell before posting such nonsense! Do want them to pay for the past, a past that most nations were just as guilty of doing what you said here. Do YOU want to atone for the sins of your former generation? I hardly think so. Let them be happy and let the rest of the world enjoy the pleasure they will bring on their big day. Lord knows the family have had enough tragedy to cope with while living in a proverbial fishbowl. I am sure you could not handle their life - get on with yours and smarten up!
Posted by: SP | Nov 30, 2021 8:51:45 PM
Yet another benefit of having a constitutional monarchy as the head of state. Cheaper than a president, Blocked from imposing their will on the public Better parties, Crazy - but not Sarah Palin crazy. All round good entertainment for $1.53 per capita each year.
BTW, I don't think the wedding will cost Canadian Taxpayers anything, but feel free to keep up the crazy Sheld - it's very entertaining.
Posted by: royal fan | Dec 1, 2021 9:14:50 AM
To Whom It May Concern: It will NOT cost Canadians or any other country (besides Britain), one penny. Personally, I have watched the royal family since the days the Queen Mother was greatly respected and admired. I am very happy for Prince William and (now) Catherine Middleton and wish them all the best. (I will be watching the royal wedding and also watched Prince Charles wedding.)
By the way, it is Britain that is paying for security only. It has already been stated by Buckingham Palace that the royal family and (self-made millionaires) The Middletons will be paying for the royal wedding completely themselves. As for security, Britain should have to pay. Who pays for the magazines that the paparrazzi sell to? The taxpayer.
Congratulations to Prince William and Miss Middleton!