There’s no place like home - as costs soar a third of Brits choose to stay grounded
Following a summer of airport mayhem, cancelled flights, and now looming energy price rises, it comes as no surprise that a third of Brits are choosing to keep their feet firmly on the ground and holiday at home this year.
It’s hard to forget the images of infuriated passengers left stranded across the country amid mass strikes, delays and cancellations brought on by a huge number of travellers hitting the airports as covid restrictions were lifted across the globe. A survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) found that nine out of ten passengers reported disrupted travel during the early part of the Summer – with a half of those finding longer than normal queues in the airport and when waiting for luggage.
For those not put off by the risk of airport chaos, it’s the sheer expense of travelling abroad that is causing them to stop in their tracks. With the cost-of-living crisis hitting hard, everyone is having to think twice about whether having a holiday in the sunshine is really a priority this year. In a recent survey of 2,000 adults, by popular hotel chain, Travelodge, one fifth of those questioned felt that going abroad was too expensive and one third were opting to take their main holiday in the UK this year.
Whilst it’s not great news for our neighbours on the continent, the rise of the “staycation” is excellent news for British tourism. UK bookings jumped a massive 300 percent after lockdown restrictions were lifted last year and the rise of the “staycation” continues to grow in popularity this year. The hashtags #UKStaycation and #StaycationUK have gathered a combined total of over 400,000 posts on Instagram.
Many travellers are taking the opportunity to explore the countless hidden gems that the UK has to offer. The report found that seaside destinations were the most popular, likely helped by the record heatwaves experienced by much of the country and of course, recent social media trends showcasing impressive beauty spots. Durdle Door in Dorset, for example, was overwhelmed by a massive influx of tourists looking to snap a perfect Instagram shot of its picturesque beach.
Neil Bevan, General Manager at The Manor & Ashbury Resorts in Devon said; “It has been exciting to see more and more people joining us to explore this beautiful part of the country. We have some of the most amazing locations just a stone’s throw away, from breath-taking views on the moors to nearby sandy beaches – it’s a fantastic holiday destination, especially for families.”
The UK is even proving an attractive option for many celebrities. Instead of jetting off to sunnier surroundings, they too have been posting images on social media of their favourite ‘staycation’ spots. Tom Hardy recently stayed in Yorkshire, Tina O’Brien spent time in Conwy, Carol Vorderman made a trip to Wales and even Hugh Grant was spotted enjoying a break in Frome earlier this year.
With costs looking set to rise as we head into the long winter months, and the general population looking to make savings wherever possible, it’s hard to imagine dusting off our passports and hitting the duty free any time soon.
