Aussies travelling to UK in time for royal baby's birth

AUSTRALIAN travellers are heading to the UK in the hope of timing holidays to coincide with the birth of the royal baby.

Hopeful: Debbie Prodanovski and her daughter Casey. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

AUSTRALIAN travellers are heading to the UK in the hope of timing holidays to coincide with the birth of the royal baby.

Travel agents are reporting a spike in inquiries to visit London next month and some are even seeing clients altering their plans to be near Buckingham Palace around the Duchess of Cambridge's due date of July 13.

Adelaide-based agency Phil Hoffman Travel has recorded an 80 per cent increase in travel bookings to London for both flights and cruises.

Its chief executive officer Peter Williams said the impending royal birth was a significant factor.

"The much-anticipated arrival of the Duchess of Cambridge's baby has given holiday-makers even more reason to head back to London," Mr Williams said.

"We know of some travellers organising their itineraries to maximise the chance of receiving a royal baby bonus on their holiday."

Mr Williams said the boom was coupled with growing interest in holidaying in the UK driven by the strong Australian dollar.

"London is going through a real renaissance among travellers," he said.

Creative Holidays managing director Paul McGrath said more than 30 per cent of its current European business was to London.

"With a mini monarch imminent, London is in the midst of royal baby fever and our bookings certainly reflect the popularity of the UK as a travel destination," he said.

"Our sightseeing products with a royal theme sell very well, particularly the royal London day tour and day trips that allow guests to get an insight into the lives of previous royal generations, such as those to Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana."

Insight Vacations managing director Joost Timmer said Britain had always been a popular destination, but the company had experienced an increase in demand in the past 18 months.

Debra Prodanovski, husband Peter, daughter Casey, 22, and Casey's partner Aaron Brett, 23, jetted off to the UK this week.

Mrs Prodanovski said they will be looking out for the possibility of being in London near Buckingham Palace when the royal baby arrives.

"It all adds another level of anticipation to the holiday and would surely be a highlight of the trip," she said.

"We are obviously excited to revel in the celebrations that it will bring.

"I remember the excitement among my family when our children were born. I can't begin to imagine the scale of celebrations in store for a royal baby.

"I don't mind if it's a boy or a girl, as long as it's healthy."

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