HAS THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL BEEN SWITCHED OFF?

In my local there used to be a sign which said: ‘We regret to inform customers the light at the end of the tunnel has now been switched off – we apologise for any inconvenience’.

Could the same be said about the UK tourism industry?  We have just found out the economy slipped back into negative growth in the final quarter of last year, no doubt due to the ‘wrong kind of snow’. With unemployment rising and those in work probably having to endure six years of falling incomes what is there to be optimistic about?

‘The Royal Wedding’ I hear you all cry. No doubt all eyes will be on the Royal Couple on 29 April as it has been declared a ‘public holiday’ note not a ‘bank holiday’. Therefore employers are under no obligation to let their staff have time off, or to pay those that work on the day other than normal time.

The great occasion is all set against an increasingly worsening industrial background and it is not beyond the realms of possibility there will be a strike on London Underground which will include 29 April. Being so close to Easter combine that then with British Airways Cabin crew having another go at industrial suicide while they ruin people’s holiday plans.

So a trip to the Costas with a low cost carrier might be an attractive proposition – assuming an ash cloud free year!

As we go through this year no doubt the media will whip up a frenzy of Olympic fever as we get ever closer to 27 July 2012 when the waiting will be finally over – and of course it’s the year of the Queens Diamond Jubilee and the next London Mayoral election. So again all eyes on London.

While there is no doubt the Olympics will be a huge boost to the worldwide profile of London the question many are asking is  - if you are not actually going to the Olympics then won’t you steer well clear of London? With a massive security operation likely to be in place, a large traffic exclusion zone around East London, sky high prices for everything why would any normal person want to go?

With election for London Mayor in May, perhaps even Boris Johnson won’t get a ticket if Red Ken has his way!