As Brits enjoy the hottest April on record, new research reveals that the UK is set to enjoy a tourism boost this year as 83 per cent opt for a holiday at home, a rise of 17 per cent on 2014. The lure of British shores, country pubs and cosmopolitan cities means the UK is now the no. 1 holiday destination for Brits, beating the nearest contender, Europe, by 16 per cent.
The trend for staycations is certainly on the rise, with top British destinations enjoying an increase in visitors over recent years – a combined 51 per cent in the top five hot spots since 2010 according to a survey by VoucherCodes.co.uk. Perennial favourite Cornwall is cream of the crop for UK getaways for the fifth year running, with one in five Brits opting for cream teas, surfing and rolling Cornish countryside as their getaway of choice in 2015. The destination has seen a 16 per cent rise in UK tourists since 2010 and is also set to welcome 14 per cent more holidaymakers this year than in 2014.
Those surveyed also showed their love of a city break, with the South West hotspot closely followed by London in the list of most popular staycation destinations. British beauty spots including the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales took third and fourth place respectively, while the south coast seaside town of Bournemouth completed the top five.
The top 10 British holiday destinations are:
1. Cornwall
2. London
3. Lake District
4. Yorkshire Dales
5. Bournemouth
6. Isle of Wight
7. Edinburgh
8. New Forest
9. Brighton
10. Cardiff
Landmark events taking place in London over recent years, including the 2012 Olympics and royal wedding, have perhaps bolstered the capital’s tourist industry. London is attracting 14 per cent more holidaymakers in 2015 than 2010 – 26 per cent of ‘staycationers’ in 2015 are opting for the capital, compared to 12 per cent in 2010.
But they’re are signs that British holidaymakers are starting to appreciate the undiscovered beauty spots and cultural adventures closer to home, with 44 per cent of respondents saying they opted for a staycation to see more of the UK. Budget restrictions is also a key factor, with a quarter (25 per cent) saying they can’t afford a big holiday abroad, a further 24 per cent are keen to make the most of long bank holiday weekends while one in five (20 per cent) are travelling the British Isles to visit family.
