Assessing the True Impact of the Royal Family on UK Tourism Amidst Calls for Fiscal Responsibility

Love them or despise them, the royal family epitomizes quintessential Britishness, alongside iconic red telephone boxes and delectable scones. Their regal visages adorn souvenir shops, global newspapers dissect their every move, and television dramas chronicling their lives enjoy unprecedented popularity.

Whenever detractors criticize the royal family, a common refrain emerges: “But think of the tourism!” This argument has gained prominence lately as concerns mount over how a nation grappling with widespread strikes and an overwhelming cost of living crisis can justify the estimated £100 million ($125 million) expenditure for King Charles III’s coronation.

In a recent YouGov poll, 51% of respondents voiced opposition to taxpayers funding the coronation. Among young people, this sentiment soared even higher, reaching 62%. Nevertheless, proponents often invoke tourism as a justification for the grandiose expenses associated with royal events.

Undeniably, the royal family does attract tourists to the United Kingdom. The Centre for Economics and Business Research, an economic consultancy, projected that the coronation weekend would yield a staggering £337 million ($422 million) surge in tourism and pub expenditures.

Yet, would the UK’s tourism industry implode if the royal family were to vanish? A 2011 study by Visit Britain revealed that approximately 60% of tourists visiting the UK are inclined to explore places associated with the royal family. Although no recent data specifically pertains to royal-related tourism, Visit Britain’s 2022 findings indicated that history and heritage remain the primary draws for tourists.

While the international perception of Britain is undeniably intertwined with the royal family, this does not conclusively establish the necessity of a reigning monarchy for tourism. Even in the absence of a royal family, the historical legacy surrounding the monarchy and its associated landmarks would endure. For instance, the Ottoman palaces in Istanbul continue to captivate visitors a century after the caliphate’s demise, just as the royal châteaus of France and imperial palaces of China remain immensely popular.

The appeal of these countries has not been dampened by the absence of royalty, as each attracts more tourists annually than the UK.

The United States represents the UK’s largest tourist market, and American visitors have displayed a fondness for all things connected to British royalty. However, sentiments may shift with the ascension of the new monarch. A poll conducted in February 2021, prior to Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, revealed that a staggering 68% of Americans viewed her favorably. In contrast, only 34% held a favorable opinion of Charles at that time. However, a more recent poll conducted before the coronation indicated a surge in Charles’ approval rating to 50% in the US. Nevertheless, 62% of Americans expressed little to no interest in the coronation.

Outside of America, the UK’s other major tourist groups demonstrate significantly less interest in the royal family. A 2016 survey by travel firm Travelzoo revealed that a mere 19% of German, 15% of French, and just 10% of Spanish travelers were motivated to visit the UK because of its monarchy.

When discussing the royal family’s impact on tourism, commentators often highlight major events such as weddings, jubilees, coronations, and funerals. While these events undoubtedly attract substantial crowds, they occur infrequently and do not represent the tourism industry as a whole. Research indicates that royal weddings significantly enhance a country’s image and brand awareness, but they do not rival major mega-events like the FIFA World Cup, the Super Bowl, or the Olympics.

Although royal landmarks enjoy popularity, they are far from being the UK’s most visited attractions. Among Britain’s top 10 most visited free and paid-for attractions in 2021, none were royal sites. The highest-ranked royal attraction, the Tower of London, only managed to secure the 17th spot on the list. Surprisingly, attractions like Chester Zoo attract more visitors than renowned royal destinations such as Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace. It’s worth noting that these statistics do not differentiate between domestic and international tourists. According to a recent visitor survey conducted in Windsor, the majority of tourists visiting the area hailed from overseas.

Republic, an anti-monarchy advocacy group, disputes the widely cited claim that the monarchy generates £500 million in annual tourism income for the UK, emphasizing that this figure represents only a fraction of Britain’s £127 billion tourism economy. The group also raises valid questions about the conspicuous absence of royalty in British tourism campaigns and advertisements, casting doubt on the monarchy’s purported indispensability to the tourism industry.

While it is undeniable that the presence of royalty adds to the allure of the UK as a tourist destination, primarily due to its rich history and associated heritage, the question remains whether a reigning monarchy is truly necessary to sustain this appeal.