Cheerfulness and Cleanliness Are on the Rise in UK Capital and Tourists Are Taking Notice

A new poll shows that friendliness and cleanliness are on the rise in the UK capital. Lynn Jones Research surveyed more than 2,000 recent customers of the London Sightseeing Pass and found that almost 50 percent felt that the city’s cheerfulness and friendliness was “excellent.” Cleanliness was rated as “excellent” by 36 percent of those surveyed, showing that the city’s efforts to scrub up in advance of several major events are paying off. Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton takes place this April, and 2012 marks the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the summer Olympic games. In 2009, less than 18 percent of survey respondents rated cleanliness in the capital that high.

Tower Bridge, London, UK

The survey was commissioned by the London Sightseeing Pass, a pre-paid smartcard pass that gives visitors one-ticket entry to more than 55 of the city’s top attractions. The pass also includes special offers on dining, shopping, performing arts tickets, and fee-free currency exchange. “With the world’s eyes on the capital in the run up to the Royal Wedding, it’s great to see that Londoners are winning visitors over with a smile and spring cleaning,” said Amanda Truman, London Sightseeing Pass’s product marketing director. “These survey results are a boost for the capital’s tourist industry and will hopefully encourage more visitors to come and explore the city.” Truman also noted that more than 50 percent of those surveyed rated public transport as “excellent.”

London Sightseeing Passes are available online and at the London Visitors Centre on Regent Street. If you are visiting the rest of the UK,  consider the Great British Heritage Pass, with free entry to almost 600 British heritage tourist attractions around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.