Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 15 June, 2015 3:40 am |

With set locations ranging from Central London to the rugged Scottish Highlands, the quintessentially British James Bond movie franchise is still encouraging travellers from Saudi Arabia to visit the UK. In a recent survey conducted by British Airways, nearly one in four Saudi Arabian residents asked said that the films – which showcase the suave and sophisticated British secret service agent 007 – inspire them to travel to the UK.

Bond was closely followed in second place by Harry Potter – with 17 per cent – whose popularity has seen King’s Cross Railway Station in London include a sign for Platform 9 ¾, the departure point for students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, of which its most famous student, Harry Potter, attends.

The contemporary version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective novels, Sherlock, set in London and staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, took third place.

With UK film and TV locations still grabbing the attention of travellers from Saudi Arabia, British Airways is offering special fares until 15 June 2015 with travel before 30 November 2015 for those looking to explore the UK over the summer.

Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Area Commercial Manager for the Middle East & Central Asia said, “After more than 50 years, the James Bond franchise is more popular than ever. The latest instalment, Spectre, is out in cinemas later this year and still shrouded in secrecy but I’m sure it will include some of the iconic ‘Bond’ locations, such as MI6, which has help made London famous in the eyes of movie-goers!

“The UK is full of locations that have been featured on the big and small screens, from Oxfordshire in Downton Abbey to Northern Island in Game of Thrones, there are many places worth exploring over the summer (even with the British rain!). Our flights from Saudi Arabia to London are one of the most popular routes within the Middle East and as always, we will be offering the best of British hospitality that our customers have come to expect on all our flights.”

The discounted British Airways air fares will be available across Club World and World Traveller cabins and allows for travel until 30 November 2015. Return fares start from as little as SAR 2465 per person from Saudi Arabia to London, UK. A full timetable of British Airways' flights to London and beyond is available online at ba.com, where customers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and check-in online for their flights.