Despite major sporting events and many public attractions being closed during the national mourning period, the number of tourists visiting the UK has surged.
In an interview with Radio New Zealand, Flight Centre said that travel during this time is challenging, with travelers looking for new accommodation or staying with friends instead of paying the huge difference in prices for hotels in Edinburgh and London.
According to The Guardian, hotel room prices in London are at their highest since the 2012 Olympics. Hotel prices in Kensington and some other areas of London have increased by more than 300%.
Queen Elizabeth II is the UK's longest-reigning monarch and the world has witnessed her reign as queen. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The Washington Post reported that searches for flights from the US to the UK spiked 49% in the hours after the Queen died.
"There will definitely be a lot of delays due to increased demand," said Victoria Courtney, a spokeswoman for Flight Centre.
One-way airfares from Auckland, New Zealand, to Heathrow Airport, England, peaked at more than NZ$2,000 (nearly VND29 million) on the weekend. According to comparison websites, this is almost double the monthly average airfare and on par with peak-season prices.
The number of tourists to the UK is expected to continue to increase in the coming time. However, visitors should note the operating hours of some tourist attractions during the national mourning period.
The British government on September 11 also announced instructions for those who want to visit the Queen's coffin at Westminster Palace from 5:00 p.m. on September 14 to 6:30 a.m. on September 19 (local time).
“If you wish to visit, please be aware that there will be queues, which can be long. You will have to stand for many hours, possibly overnight, with little opportunity to sit down as the queue will be constantly moving,” the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in its guidance, according to AP.
Many changes are taking place in the UK after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. First of all, there is the National Anthem, businesses will be closed during the national mourning period, new currency will be printed, passports, police uniforms... Many British people do not know what their lives will be like after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
A state room in Buckingham Palace. Photo: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
In the UK, flags will be flown at half-staff until 8am the day after the funeral, according to Greater London Lieutenancy guidelines. Churches may also ring bells to mark the anniversary of the Queen's death.
On the day of the Queen's death, banks and the stock market will close for the day. And most businesses will also close for a moment of silence. This will be the first major impact on the British economy following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles will make his first speech as king via live stream and the government will swear allegiance to the monarch with a 41st gun salute.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II will shake a world that has grown accustomed to her reign, completely changing the way the world views Britain today.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the world witnessed her reign as queen. She ascended the throne in 1952 and reigned for 70 years, until her death on Thursday, September 8, 2022. She was 96.
