Major stores in London's West End are experiencing a boom thanks to the French ban on burkas.
West End stores like Selfridges are cashing in as Middle Eastern tourists from places such as United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia snub Paris to shop in London instead.
According to the West End Company, a body representing 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, Arab tourists are spending up to £2,000 each.
Late July has emerged as the peak period with tourists from the Middle East expected to spend more than £200 million.
West End hotels are also reaping the benefits, with the latest calculations showing that the estimated 600,000 tourists calculated to be worth a further £30 million.
West End cashes in because of French burka ban
Major West End stores like Selfridges are cashing in as Middle Eastern tourists desert Paris because of the French burka ban.
French burka ban leading to surge in Middle Eastern tourists in London. Photo: ALAMY
By David Millward
24 Jul 2011
The Telegraph
Cashing in: Selfridges in London's West End
Traders in London have noticed a surge in tourists from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in recent months.
With the French Government making it clear that foreigners will not be exempted from prosecution, there is mounting evidence that wealthy visitors from the Middle East have voted with their wallets.
According to the West End Company, a body representing 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, Arab tourists are spending up to £2,000 each.
Late July has emerged as the peak period with tourists from the Middle East expected to spend more than £200 million.
Anyone found wearing a face covering veil in France faces a fine of £132 ($150), with the French Government making it clear that the law would also be applied to overseas tourists.
Tourism experts warned that this could hit France with Gulf-based families likely to boycott France in protest at what they regard as a violation of their privacy.
“People from this region are particularly sensitive about their privacy,” said Mohsin Kidwai, manager for holidays at United Arab Emirates -based Orient Travels.
Selfridges for example, has seen the number of foreign shoppers increase by over 40 per cent this year compared to 2010.
Tourists from the Middle East are leading the way along with visitors from China and the United States of America.
Luxury accessories such as handbags, watches and designer clothing have proved particularly popular with Middle Eastern tourists, with demand particularly strong for Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Mulberry and Chanel.
The rise Middle Eastern demand is a further boost for West End traders who have already enjoyed a bonanza thanks to the Royal Wedding and comes ahead of a predicted 2012 Olympics.
It is not only shops who have been cashing in with the West End boom contradicting the misery on provincial high streets.
Hotels are also reaping the benefits, with the latest calculations showing that the estimated 600,000 tourists calculated to be worth a further £30 million.
telegraph.co.uk
West End stores like Selfridges are cashing in as Middle Eastern tourists from places such as United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia snub Paris to shop in London instead.
According to the West End Company, a body representing 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, Arab tourists are spending up to £2,000 each.
Late July has emerged as the peak period with tourists from the Middle East expected to spend more than £200 million.
West End hotels are also reaping the benefits, with the latest calculations showing that the estimated 600,000 tourists calculated to be worth a further £30 million.
West End cashes in because of French burka ban
Major West End stores like Selfridges are cashing in as Middle Eastern tourists desert Paris because of the French burka ban.
French burka ban leading to surge in Middle Eastern tourists in London. Photo: ALAMY
By David Millward
24 Jul 2011
The Telegraph
Cashing in: Selfridges in London's West End
Traders in London have noticed a surge in tourists from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in recent months.
With the French Government making it clear that foreigners will not be exempted from prosecution, there is mounting evidence that wealthy visitors from the Middle East have voted with their wallets.
According to the West End Company, a body representing 600 retailers on Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, Arab tourists are spending up to £2,000 each.
Late July has emerged as the peak period with tourists from the Middle East expected to spend more than £200 million.
Anyone found wearing a face covering veil in France faces a fine of £132 ($150), with the French Government making it clear that the law would also be applied to overseas tourists.
Tourism experts warned that this could hit France with Gulf-based families likely to boycott France in protest at what they regard as a violation of their privacy.
“People from this region are particularly sensitive about their privacy,” said Mohsin Kidwai, manager for holidays at United Arab Emirates -based Orient Travels.
Selfridges for example, has seen the number of foreign shoppers increase by over 40 per cent this year compared to 2010.
Tourists from the Middle East are leading the way along with visitors from China and the United States of America.
Luxury accessories such as handbags, watches and designer clothing have proved particularly popular with Middle Eastern tourists, with demand particularly strong for Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Mulberry and Chanel.
The rise Middle Eastern demand is a further boost for West End traders who have already enjoyed a bonanza thanks to the Royal Wedding and comes ahead of a predicted 2012 Olympics.
It is not only shops who have been cashing in with the West End boom contradicting the misery on provincial high streets.
Hotels are also reaping the benefits, with the latest calculations showing that the estimated 600,000 tourists calculated to be worth a further £30 million.
telegraph.co.uk