Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the value to the tourist economy of military, ceremonial and pageantry activities in London; and if he will make a statement.

Tracey Crouch, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Sport, Tourism and Heritage: My Department has not made an assessment of the value to the tourist economy of military, ceremonial and pageantry activities in London. However, VisitBritain estimates that visitors drawn here by the appeal of our culture and heritage spend over £6.8 billion annually (out of a total overseas visitor spend of £21.8 billion in 2014). Around £500 million of that figure can be attributed to attractions and events with a connection to Britain’s royal heritage.

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