VisitBritain, UK’s tourism authority, is expecting a surge in the number of travellers from the Middle East to the UK for both luxury holidays and shopping in 2010.

This is partly due to London dropping 18 places in the ‘most expensive city’ list, falling from number two in 2007 to twenty this year, with major deals and promotions on offer to drive consumer spending, media reports said.

“London has always been associated with being an expensive city, but with new figures stating the contrary, we are expecting more Gulf-based travellers to take advantage of London’s tourism offerings, as well as discover other notable emerging travel spots around the UK,” said Carol Maddison, spokesperson for VisitBritain.

“London is a gateway city for other famous landmarks and tourist attractions in the UK, so with a more affordable London, we look forward to receiving more regional travellers looking to take advantage of major events and attractions throughout the country,” she added.

The PriceRunner International Price Comparison report studied 26 products in 33 different countries across the world. It showed that Oslo was the most expensive city for the third year running.

The report claimed that London is more affordable than Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin.

“In addition to great shopping, museums, theatre and local landmarks, a number of new and existing calendar of events in 2010 will make London an even more desirable holiday destination for Middle East travellers,” Maddison said.

Making its debut in London in early 2010 is a new exhibition called Abbaworld, backed by all of the Abba band members. The exhibition will have its inaugural limited run at London’s Earl’s Court from January 27, 2010 before touring the world. The Abbaworld exhibition will cover 25 rooms and offer music, footage and some 750 items of memorabilia, a statement said.

Following on from the success of this year’s inaugural Event, ‘Polo in the Park, London’ will be returning to Hurlingham Park in June 2010. Next year’s event is expected to attract an even bigger crowd beating this year’s numbers of 25,000 spectators.

The combination of a glamorous, time-honoured sport with exciting new World Polo Series rules; the historic central London location of the exclusive Hurlingham Club and perfect hospitality, will provide the ideal surrounds in which to entertain guests.

In addition to the polo there will be plenty of family entertainment lined up with a dedicated Kids Zone for the younger ones, said the statement. – TradeArabia News Service