Prince William will promote the message that Australia is “open for business” when he visits New Zealand and Australia this week.
Writing in the London Daily Telegraph, “Prince William to bang the drum for business in Australia “ (13/3) by Royal Correspondent Roya Nikkhah reports that the Princehas pledged to try and boost business and tourism in parts of Australia affected by recent flooding and cyclones.
Prince William will first visit Christchurch in New Zealand and then Queensland and Victoria, where he hopes to help “kickstart business and tourism” which have suffered following the recent natural disasters in both regions.
A royal aide told Roya Nikkhah: “In New Zealand, where the tragedy is still so recent, Prince William is there to comfort. But in Australia, though the devastation is still very real, he is keen to ensure that his visit shows the areas affected can still accept business and tourists.
…spotlight on business and commerce…
“Prince William wants to help get the economy back up and running fully again and while part of his message in both countries is hope, in Australia he particularly wants to help get the message out that it’s open for business to the wider world. In Queensland, therefore, he won’t be spending all his time with victims and visiting damaged property – he will also bring a spotlight to businesses and commerce in the region.”
Prince William will visit Christchurch on Thursday and Friday, where the Telegraph says he will meet with communities and members of the emergency services involved in the recent earthquake.
He will address a National Memorial Service which 250,000 people are expected to attend, and will later travel to Greymouth, a town where 29 people were killed in a mining explosion in November.