Cambridge rides the royal wave

The Queen may or may not have realized the tourism boost she would give Cambridge, England, when she made newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Since the royal wedding, Cambridge has experienced a 25 percent increase in tourism, according to Forbes. Although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have not visited since being granted their new titles, hoteliers are particularly pleased with the turn of events, noting a marked increase in international tourists.

Just 80 km north of London, the town of 100,000 is famous for its prestigious university, along with Castle Hill, a castle built by William of Normandy in 1068, and other attractions like the Cambridge Folk Festival in July, punting on the river, art galleries, and theaters.

A tourism increase following a royal wedding is not new. The weddings of Prince Charles and Diana Spencer in 1981, and of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986, also had a similar impact on the British economy.