Hotels expect record-breaking summer season post-Brexit

According to a VisitEngland survey of 500 businesses, more than half are expecting an increase in visitors following the referendum, with a large boost expected from domestic staycations.

Nearly two thirds are feeling ‘very confident’ about the summer and just under half have reported a ‘very good’ level of forward bookings – both record highs for the VisitEngland survey.

Patricia Yates, director of VisitEngland, said: “It’s a great summer to holiday in England and a fantastic opportunity for the tourism industry to showcase the range of quality tourism products on offer across the country and demonstrate just why our regions should top people’s list as must-go now destinations.”

She added that the weakened pound meant holidaying in the UK gave Britons ‘reassurance and certainty’ in terms of costs.

It follows record-breaking numbers of people taking UK staycations in the first four months of the year.

From January to April Brits took 11m holiday trips, up eight per cent on 2015, and spent £2.8bn – a rise of 22 per cent.

Around 40 per cent of accommodation providers and attractions reported increased visitor numbers in the year to date, with a further 30 per cent maintaining a steady performance.

Tourism minister Tracey Crouch said: "Tourism contributes an estimated £60bn to our economy every year, so a strong summer season is not only great news for the sector but the whole country."