The London Story: What makes the 'global capital' so hospitable?

‘The London Story’ campaign, from official city guide VisitLondon, has compiled a series of short films from people who live and work in the British capital, revealing a ‘new and personal side’ to the area.

It is launched at a time when London’s tourism industry is already booming. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal a record 4.9 million people visited the city last summer and for the first time in its history the city welcomed over 16 million visitors in one year.

So what affect has all of this had on London’s restaurants? In the below video, Ramsay claims the vibe, coolness and great food and drink businesses in the city are now ‘second to nowhere else in the world’.

Gordon Ramsay​​

“Whenever we are returning from a long trip, the first thing we do is go out for a great curry on Brick Lane which is phenomenal,” he says. “I’ve been to India but I find curries in Brick Lane better – you can’t beat a good London curry.

“There is nowhere better anywhere in the world to eat than in London.”

Vivek Singh​​

Vivek Singh​​, chief executive and executive chef of The Cinnamon Club, Cinnamon Kitchen and Cinnamon Soho, is another restaurateur to give his ‘London Story’; explaining what fascinates and excites him about living in the capital and how he spends his free time.

“I just love the energy and the buzz,” says Singh. “It’s such an interesting mix of people and such an interesting and eclectic mixture of restaurants and shops - even the street food stalls that are often to be found there.

“London for me is the global food capital of the world."

And it’s not just food and drink businesses that are reaping the positive effects of London’s tourism boost. According to preliminary data from STR Global, hotels in the capital have just posted some of the strongest figures on record, achieving a 9.6 per cent rise in revenue per available room last month - the best December for 19 years. 

Boris Johnson​​

So what's all this growth down to? No campaign promoting the nation's capital would be complete without London Mayor Boris Johnson, who believes the hard work and high service levels of leisure and hospitality businesses is encouraging more tourists to get a taste of the London experience.  

In the above video, Johnson says: “With so many fascinating museums, the best theatre scene in the world, more green space than any other European city, numerous top sporting venues, a low crime rate and much else besides, it is no wonder that people from all over the globe are flocking to London in record numbers. 

"These incredible figures prove that London is without doubt the greatest city on the planet.”

Our recent Hospitable Cities special feature proves that this hard work and innovation of businesses is not exclusive to London, but as this London Story video campaign shows, there is arguably no better a hospitality offering than that of our capital. 

Watch more 'London Story' video interviews with celebrities and proud Londoners at visitlondon.com/story.​