WILLIAM AND KATE'S NEW TITLES SPARK TRAVEL TO CAMBRIDGE

Toronto, June 27, 2011 – Less than two months since their wedding day and the announcement of their Cambridge titles, William and Kate’s celebrity status could already be attracting visitors to the city. The couple visit Canada beginning June 30, before they even visit their very own Cambridge.

Visit Cambridge, the city’s official tourism organisation, has seen an increase in local tourism year over year from April 1 to May 31, 2011 with guided tours up by 25% and footfall in the central city tourist information centre on Peas Hill up by 9%.

“We’re delighted that Prince William and Kate Middleton were issued the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,” says Emma Thornton, Visit Cambridge Head of Tourism. “William and Kate are a modern and dynamic couple who we believe have and will broaden the appeal of Cambridge as a visitor destination.”

A VisitBritain-commissioned report released earlier this year revealed that history and culture –

particularly when linked to the Monarchy – contribute significantly to the country’s unique appeal as a holiday destination. More than 10,000 foreign tourists were given a list of 18 things that can only be done in Britain - and asked to pick the ones they’d like to do most. The top three choices were, in order of importance: to go on a tour of Welsh castles, visit Buckingham Palace and stay the night in a Scottish castle.

“Experiencing royal Britain is as essential Canadian travellers as remembering their passport and camera,” says Ted Flett, VisitBritain Public Relations and Communications Manager – Canada. “From touring castles and palaces to seeing landmarks, we want to take in locations of significance to members of the Royal family, past and especially now present.”

The popularity of William and Kate in Canada is expected to have a continued positive effect for Cambridge and joins a list of royal pedigree connected with the city’s history:

• Two years after his conquest of England, in 1068, William of Normandy built a castle on what is now Castle Hill, Cambridge.
• King’s College was founded by Henry VI in 1441 and the college’s chapel, completed during the reign of Henry VIII in 1544 boasts an elaborate interior.
• Trinity College is considered a favoured place for successive generations of royals to be educated – including the late Edward VII and Prince Charles, the new Duke of Cambridge's father.
• The Queen’s mother received an honorary degree from the university in October 1948 making her the first woman to receive one from the University. She also regularly visited the city in her youth including a visit to the folk museum in 1938.
• The husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and a number of other royals have graced the University of Cambridge as its chancellor over the years.
• This honour is currently held by Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, who has been Chancellor of the University of Cambridge since 1976. He is due to step down from the role this year.
• Situated in the centre of Cambridge is the grand Guildhall building, where the City’ Councils chambers are located. In very recent history King George VI granted Cambridge city status in 1951. He spent a year as a student at the University in 1919-1920 and unveiled a war memorial in 1922.