UK: Hotel chain Travelodge is predicting that this summer’s surge in bookings for staycations will equate to a £24 billion boost for the UK economy.
According to the company’s latest research conducted in the Travelodge Holiday Index, 55 per cent of the 2000 Brits surveyed are expecting to take a holiday this summer. Moreover, 80 per cent said they would opt for a staycation over venturing abroad, with 70 per cent voicing their fears about international travel due to potential spikes elsewhere and the threat of further travel restrictions being imposed.
The findings also revealed:
- Brits are planning to spend an average of £797.54 on their summer holidays this year
- 42 per cent of those surveyed said they would be taking more short breaks in the UK this year, rather than going abroad, with more than 50 per cent saying they would take four or more breaks before the end of the year
- 58 per cent of Brits want to combine a coastal break with a rural or urban city trip, in order to be more “cost effective” visiting multiple destinations in one break
- Seaside resorts are set to continue seeing a boom with 44 per cent planning such a trip, as Cornwall, Devon and Bournemouth remain the most sought-after destinations
- The countryside was the second most popular type of holiday destination, with 32 per cent of respondents planning a rural break this year
- 23 per cent of respondents are keen to go on a city break this summer, as the likes of London, Edinburgh and Cardiff look set to capitalise on demand
Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said: “The results from our 2020 Holiday Index report does show a glimmer of green shoots for our tourism industry with Britons planning to holiday across the length and breadth of the UK this summer.
In June, hospitality venues were given the go-ahead to reopen on 4 July by prime minister Boris Johnson and culture secretary Oliver Dowden. At the time, Dowden urged Brits to go on staycations to help boost the tourism industry after the extended closure of the hospitality sector.</p
