A poll of 2,000 holidaymakers suggests that half of Brits have changed their travel plans due to rising costs and global uncertainty, with many opting for a UK staycation instead of heading to Spain
More holidaymakers are choosing to stay in the UK(Image: Getty Images)
Soaring costs are prompting holidaymakers to stick closer to home this summer – though many are embracing the freedom and ease of a UK break.
Half of all holidaymakers have altered their travel plans owing to rising costs and global uncertainty. A survey of 2,000 holidaymakers revealed that 22% are leaving their holiday arrangements to the last minute, while 32% would prefer somewhere nearer to home.
More than half (54%) have already booked a staycation, with more travellers set to head to the South West of England this summer than making the traditional pilgrimage to Spain.
Almost seven in 10 (67%) are keen to sidestep the stress of packed airports, while 16% have pushed back their getaway due to ongoing issues across the globe.
Ryan Johnson, senior vice president at Enterprise Mobility in the UK and Ireland, which commissioned the research, said: “This summer’s travel trends paint a clear picture of how UK holidaymakers are approaching their summer holidays, with domestic travel, and road trips in particular, firmly at the forefront.
“Cost, convenience and a desire for more flexibility are all shaping those decisions in meaningful ways.”
For ‘stay-trippers’ – those swapping foreign holidays for road trips and short breaks around the UK – cost was a deciding factor. More than a third (37%) would opt for a domestic road trip over travelling overseas on grounds of price.
According to OnePoll.com figures, a third (35%) also believe that holidaying closer to home makes the whole planning process simpler, while a further 33% said they can afford to be more flexible with their arrangements.
For those remaining in the UK and embarking on a road trip, the Scottish Highlands (42%), the Lake District (40%) and Cornwall (37%) came out as the most popular destinations.
When it comes to driving in particular, reliability was the number one priority when picking a suitable vehicle (46%), followed by comfort and passenger space (39%) and fuel efficiency (33%).
Traffic, meanwhile, was the most commonly cited worry for those hitting the road this summer (54%).
Ryan Johnson from Enterprise Mobility said: “We see the results reflected in the way our customers choose their travel.
“Having the right vehicle in the right place at the right time is fundamental, and customers need a vehicle that is reliable, comfortable and well suited to the journey ahead, qualities that are essential to creating a great road trip experience.”