Gulf visitors are finding affordable ways to see Britain at its best this summer, with options to stay in London or some of Great Britain’s other unique cities less than an hour away, UAE tourism officials said.

“Summer 2012 is shaping up to be one of Britain’s very best on record, with the London 2012 Olympics among the many, many activities set for enjoyment over the coming months,” said Carol Maddison, UAE manager of VisitBritain.

“And the good news is that London and beyond are still very much accessible to Gulf visitors on any budget – from families through to luxury couples wanting to access Britain at its best this summer.”

National flag carriers and low-cost airlines offer value and convenience when getting to England. British Airways offers ‘Great’ fares from Dubai and Abu Dhabi coupled a variety of three-night stay packages with three-, four- and five-star accommodations.

Gulf visitors that book between July 24 and 27 on British Airways Club World business class to London and can stay at the Central Park Hotel in Hyde Park starting around Dh15,499 ($4,219) per person.

Gulf visitors that book from July 26 to 29 in World Traveller economy class will find deals that include three nights at the 3 star Royal National Hotel from Dh4,977 and five-star Park Lane Hotel in Mayfair overlooking Green Park from Dh6,738 per person.

Additionally, booking a holiday between July 30 and August 3 in World Traveller Plus, premium economy will include staying at the four-star Rembrandt Hotel, including continental breakfast from Dh9,392 per person or Dh7,549 per person at the three-star Royal National Hotel.

World Traveller economy cabin flights book during the same period can stay three-star Royal National Hotel from Dh5,408 per person or four-star K+K Hotel in Kensington from Dh6,792 per person.

London 2012 will also offer the best-connected games in the history of the Olympic and Paralympics Games with ten rail/tube lines serving the Olympic Park, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which will provide a seven minute link between the Olympic Park and Central London and the extension of the East London line, all of which is already completed.

In total, there will be 11 rail lines serving the Olympic Park. Each ticket for London 2012 Games includes free travel on public transport in London for the day of the event.

A new London Visitor Charter, which complements the Fair Pricing & Practice Charter in England, will see some of the biggest names in the capital’s tourism and leisure sectors, including The 02 Arena and Eurostar commit to fair pricing for visitors throughout the 2012 Games. – TradeArabia News Service