‘Downton Abbey' Summer Olympics and the Royals boost tourism (Anglophenia)

 

By Fraser McAlpine | Posted on Friday, January 27th, 2012

 

 

2012 is going to be something of a ‘perfect storm’ year for the British tourist industry. Several events which have been bubbling away for a while will reach a peak of excitement between now and the end of the year, and each will bring a fresh batch of visitors in its wake. So if you’ve a trip to Britain planned, you’ll be in good company.

First, and most obvious, is the Olympics. London is being thoroughly spruced up right now, all the nooks are being dusted, the pigeons groomed and the homeless people tidied away, ready for the enormous influx of visitors.

But it’s not just sports fans who are flocking our way this year. The 19th Century Highclere Castle in Newbury has reported a massive increase in tourist interest, and it’s entirely due to one thing: Downton Abbey.

Highclere is the home of the eighth Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, and it’s also the breathtaking location of Downton Abbey, which means fans of the show are now flocking to see it.


Read more:  http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/01/downton-abbey-the-olympics-and-the-royals-boost-uk-tourism/

Paul McCartney Wants to Enter the Tourism Business (Gibson)

Anne Erickson

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01.12.2012

Sir Paul McCartney is looking to stretch out his creative Wings and get into the tourism business.
The Beatles singer says he “wants to give something back to the locals” of his hometown of Liverpool, North West England, in the form of a special sightseeing production.

“I would really love to start a sightseeing business.

I have my own magical mystery tours of the city, my own special route I go on and I think other people would love it, too,” he said, according to the Winnipeg Free Press. “I want to give something back to the locals.”

The “Let It Be” singer certainly has the funds to start up his own tourism business. It was recently released that he pulled in $45 million in 2011, nearly doubling his earnings of $25.7 million in 2010. His company also took in a pre-tax profit of $19.7 million, which was up over 2010.

Check out Epiphone’s Limited Edition Paul McCartney 1964 Texan, here. The guitar is a replica of the instrument McCartney used to record “Yesterday” and performed with on the Ed Sullivan Show.


http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/News/mcartney-liverpool-0112-2012/