Will and Kate’s visit to India: How it has boosted travel interest in the country

Everyone is aware of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s week-long visit to India. As usual, the Duchess of Cambridge was beautiful, elegant and had the much anticipated effect on the public – one of awe and admiration. The pair has just left for home after their royal tour of India and the effect can be seen in spiked travel interest in the country. Yes, according to TripAdvisor, bookings in India have gone up a generous 25 per cent and this can only be attributed to the “Kate Effect”!

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People are getting more and more fascinated by India and its many charms on offer. There is growing interest in the culture and history of the country, especially after Will and Kate deemed it worthwhile. The couple visited major attractions in Mumbai, Delhi and Bhutan, with a special photo-op right in front of the Taj Mahal, where Princess Diana was photographed during her visit here.

“Increasingly we’ve noticed that when high-profile public figures like the Royal Family are photographed in a destination, holidaymakers will actively search on TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals for properties in those locations,” said Saskia Welman of TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals. The wide media coverage that these public figures generate is also a factor in enhancing the popularity of destinations that they visit, opined Welman.

Along with the 25 per cent increase in bookings, an overall 200 per cent increase was found in searches for Mumbai, which was the royal pair’s first stop. What are your thoughts on Will and Kate’s visit to India? Do you think this is a sign of even better days to come for the Indian travel and tourism industry? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

Source: Travel and Leisure