Brits are swapping holidays abroad for staycations
HALF of holidaymakers have changed their travel plans due to rising costs and global uncertainty – booking later and staying closer to home.
A poll of 2,000 adults who go on holiday found 22 per cent are arranging their getaways closer to departure and 32 per cent would rather stay somewhere closer to the UK.
Almost seven in 10 (67 per cent) are eager to avoid the strain of busy airports while 16 per cent have delayed getaways due to worldwide instability.
And 54 per cent have already committed to a staycation over the warmer months this year – having booked their UK getaway.
Further to this, more travellers will be heading to the South West of England this summer than making the traditional jaunt to Spain.
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.”
It also emerged cost was another key factor in the emergence of ‘stay-trippers’, people swapping overseas holidays for road trips and short breaks across the UK.
More than a third (37 per cent) would choose a domestic road trip over travelling overseas on price, according to the OnePoll.com data.
A third (35 per cent) also saw easier planning as a benefit of staying closer to home, while 33 per cent cited the added bonus of being able to be more flexible with their plans.
For those planning a road trip specifically, the Scottish Highlands (42 per cent), Lake District (40 per cent) and Cornwall (37 per cent) ranked as the most sought-after stops.
When it comes to driving specifically, reliability was the top priority when selecting a car up to the task (46 per cent), ahead of comfort and passenger space (39 per cent) and fuel efficiency (33 per cent).
Traffic, meanwhile, was the most cited concern for those taking to the road this summer (54 per cent).
Ryan Johnson from Enterprise Mobility added: “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.”