If you don't know that the next royal wedding is due to happen next year, where have you been for the past month?

Prince William is set to marry Kate Middleton on the 29th of April, and it has been declared a state holiday so the country can celebrate. The wedding is due to happen at Westminster Abbey, and it is due to attract visitors from across the world to join in the celebrations. It is not yet known whether any members of foreign royal families will be attending, but travel companies are already reporting that flights from Australia and New Zealand are already increased.

London will see a rise in tourism across April, with people booking trips to tourist destinations like London Zoo, the Planetarium and Madame Tussauds to make visits while they are staying. There will be large TV screens in parks around the capital so that everyone can watch the ceremony, and areas around Westminster abbey will be closed to cars other than the royal procession.

After a turbulent year of volcanic ash clouds, failed world cup hopes, economic downturn, a hung parliament and rising travel rates, this could be something that really boosts our dwindling travel economy. The number of foreign trips that we took as a nation fell by seven percent this year and visits from foreigners to the country fell with the pounds being weak against other currencies.

Tourism groups see the wedding as a great way to showcase the city before the 2012 Olympics.

If you aren't planning on staying in the country for the prince's nuptials, make sure that you have Holiday Insurance for your trip.