As uncertainty continues about restrictions to travel outside the UK, holidays at home are the safe choice for another summer. UK destinations have seen a surge in bookings. Will more staycations have a positive effect on the UK economy?
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Will holidays at home benefit the UK economy as a whole?
A rise in visitors boosts local economies in the most popular areas – Scotland and Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Norfolk. As the top locations fill up, visitors spill over into traditionally less popular regions.
Areas that are not usually considered holiday destinations may experience an increase in traffic as people look for alternatives to the busier areas listed above. While the staycation boom will predominantly benefit certain regions of the UK, all regions could benefit.
Will families spend big on staycations?
An increase in the number of staycations is a direct result of travel restrictions and wider concerns about travelling and Covid. Economic uncertainty during and post-Covid may also be a factor. The surge in staycation bookings has been widely reported, with lodge parks and caravan sites full well in advance of July and August.
Although high demand allows resorts to increase prices, a survey carried out by Parkdean Resorts in 2020 showed a downward trend since 2019 in how much people were willing to pay for their UK holiday. This could indicate that spending while on holiday during Covid restrictions may be more frugal as well.
Will global travel affect the UK economy?
The UK is an international holiday destination, welcoming visitors from across the globe. Many UK tourist hot spots have suffered a drastic drop in international visitors for well over a year.
A stark drop of 75% in passenger numbers has hit the aviation industry. This reflects not only that fewer people are travelling out of the UK but also that far fewer are arriving.
Will the increase in staycations be enough to offset the loss to the UK economy of tourists from abroad? A forecast by Visit Britain suggests income from tourism will be almost as low as in 2020.
Visit Britain 2021 forecast: Our revised scenario for inbound tourism in 2021 is for 11.3 million visits, up 2% on 2020 but only 28% of the 2019 level; and £6.2 billion to be spent by inbound tourists, the same as 2020 but only 22% of the 2019 level.
So, revenue from visiting tourists will be less than a quarter of the revenue in 2019. Spending by those on staycations, who would normally holiday overseas, must exceed the loss from foreign tourism to bolster the UK economy.
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Can Brits on holiday help the UK economy?
A true staycation is not a holiday in the same country, but a holiday in your own home. While urban dwellers rush to the great outdoors for the summer hols, UK city economies could feel the pinch.
Can locals make up for fewer international tourists? Vaccines have given people the confidence to venture out, but social distancing and ongoing restrictions are still a factor. Those forgoing a holiday altogether may choose to spend their cash on home improvements or save.
It won’t be until the holiday season is over that we will know if the UK economy has benefited overall from the staycation trend. Difficulty booking a holiday at home may indicate that the leisure industry is booming, but most UK holiday businesses are just hoping to make up for recent losses.
How can I boost my local economy on staycation?
The sensible approach when it comes to a holiday this summer could be to put the money in a savings account and hope for better things next year.
While staying at home on a genuine staycation, you can support the UK economy and your local area by providing much-needed support for jobs and businesses. This kind of staycation is a great way to reach a savings goal for future holidays and still have fun. You could:
- Eat out and get takeaways from local independent cafes and restaurants
- Visit local attractions, and join The National Trust or English Heritage
- Shop for mementoes of your ‘staycation’ at independent businesses
- Treat yourself to a sparkling ‘holiday home’ and get a one-off house clean before your staycation starts
Should I book a staycation this summer?
The chances are that most coastal holidays are booked up already. Try less popular destinations, and you may find a less expensive, hidden gem.