London businesses busy with coronation packages

The coronation of King Charles III on May 6 is expected to lure royal enthusiasts and visitors from far and wide excited to experience a piece of British history. Officials have high hopes that the coronation will provide a vital boost to the country’s tourism industry, which is still reeling from two years of COVID-19 shutdowns.

The U.K. received some 29.7 million visits last year, still nearly a third below 2019. Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year brought in an extra 2.6 million visitors to London, she said, and Charles’ coronation is expected to have a similar effect. History, heritage and the royals are the biggest draw for international tourists, Yates said, and royal pageantry is a particular magnet for Americans, who are driving the U.K.’s tourism recovery.