After two world wars and a tourism fight with the Germans, the British have apparently decided to start dissing vacations in New York. First, VisitBritain - The tourism office for the England, Scotland and Wales, is planning to close its walk-in visitor center in New York. Apparently, most people simply use their website (www.visitbritain.com/), and only 2% of British tourists coming to New York make in-person visits to the wlk-in center. 

Secondly, The Telegraph, UK reports that Britons have given up all thoughts of pre-Christmas shopping trips to New York City, due to the plunging value of the pound. The number of British travelers flying to the East Coast has dropped by half, as compared to this time last year, according to a study of 3500 people by Travelodge.

Third, and this is the last straw - Scotland Yard is studying ways of cutting the security costs for Bristish Royals traveling abroad. Since 9/11, Royals have been provided blanket security cover by the Yard. Three weeks ago, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester became the first Royals to visit America without any British police protection. Apparently, they were hopping around all by themselves, checking out the attractions in New York.

Daily Mail report has a quote from someone in the British foreign office. “The fact that they were walking around New York without any protection is concerning, not just because of fears over mugging or terrorism but because ultimately their every movement can be traced by potential kidnappers.”

Time to reciprocate, I think, by dissing the Brits, their atrocious fish and chips, and the dismal weather. To borrow a famous quote from our outgoing Prez who had a British poodle for a sidekick- “Bring it on!”

Posted on November 16th, 2008 by Thomas
Filed under: NYC