So Many Reasons to Visit London Says Mayor

    LONDON, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone,
 joined forces Thursday with American actor George Segal, Glenda Jackson MP and
 London Tourist Board (LTB) on the British Airways London Eye to tell potential
 visitors why London is the place to come this summer.
     April through September is the most popular time to visit London, and
 visitors can choose from more than 300 museums and galleries (70 of them
 free), 150 theatres, 120 historic buildings and 6,000 restaurants.
     Ken Livingstone said:  "London is unaffected by the foot and mouth
 outbreak and all attractions are open as usual.  Even if people have been to
 London before, they should visit again, as this is a constantly changing city
 with so much to see and do."
     Over the last few years more than 6 billion Pounds Sterling has been
 invested in London's cultural attractions and hotels.  Tate Modern on the
 South Bank has attracted more than four million visitors since opening in May
 2000.  The British Airways London Eye, a 443-foot high observation wheel, has
 given more than 3.5 million visitors a superb view of London since it started
 turning in February 2000.
     Theatre is a major draw for people visiting London and this summer will
 not disappoint.  George Segal will star in the much-acclaimed Art at the
 Wyndham Theatre until July 29, and Glenn Close will be appearing in A
 Streetcar Named Desire at the National.
     Some of the major events this summer include the Chelsea Flower Show, the
 Notting Hill Carnival and Queen's Birthday Parade - Trooping of the Colour.
     LTB Chairman Teresa Wickham said:  "There has been a lot of media coverage
 overseas on the foot and mouth outbreak and some people seem to be confused
 about how that might affect their holiday.  Foot and mouth cannot be caught by
 humans and it is not connected to mad cow disease.  All London attractions are
 open and the food in Britain is safe to eat.  London is a great place to start
 a holiday in Britain and there is still a lot to do throughout the country.
 There may be some restrictions on walking in rural areas but this is purely to
 stop the spread of the disease in animals."
 
     For information on London visit http://www.LondonTown.com.  For
 information on Britain visit http://www.travelbritain.org.
 
 

SOURCE  London Tourist Board

    LONDON, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone,
 joined forces Thursday with American actor George Segal, Glenda Jackson MP and
 London Tourist Board (LTB) on the British Airways London Eye to tell potential
 visitors why London is the place to come this summer.
     April through September is the most popular time to visit London, and
 visitors can choose from more than 300 museums and galleries (70 of them
 free), 150 theatres, 120 historic buildings and 6,000 restaurants.
     Ken Livingstone said:  "London is unaffected by the foot and mouth
 outbreak and all attractions are open as usual.  Even if people have been to
 London before, they should visit again, as this is a constantly changing city
 with so much to see and do."
     Over the last few years more than 6 billion Pounds Sterling has been
 invested in London's cultural attractions and hotels.  Tate Modern on the
 South Bank has attracted more than four million visitors since opening in May
 2000.  The British Airways London Eye, a 443-foot high observation wheel, has
 given more than 3.5 million visitors a superb view of London since it started
 turning in February 2000.
     Theatre is a major draw for people visiting London and this summer will
 not disappoint.  George Segal will star in the much-acclaimed Art at the
 Wyndham Theatre until July 29, and Glenn Close will be appearing in A
 Streetcar Named Desire at the National.
     Some of the major events this summer include the Chelsea Flower Show, the
 Notting Hill Carnival and Queen's Birthday Parade - Trooping of the Colour.
     LTB Chairman Teresa Wickham said:  "There has been a lot of media coverage
 overseas on the foot and mouth outbreak and some people seem to be confused
 about how that might affect their holiday.  Foot and mouth cannot be caught by
 humans and it is not connected to mad cow disease.  All London attractions are
 open and the food in Britain is safe to eat.  London is a great place to start
 a holiday in Britain and there is still a lot to do throughout the country.
 There may be some restrictions on walking in rural areas but this is purely to
 stop the spread of the disease in animals."
 
     For information on London visit http://www.LondonTown.com.  For
 information on Britain visit http://www.travelbritain.org.
 
 SOURCE  London Tourist Board