Two-thirds of Brits to holiday at home this summer says Travelodge survey

19-May-2013 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 19:49 GMT

Related tags Travelodge chief executive United kingdom

London has replaced Cornwall as the top destination for domestic tourists this year according to Travelodge's annual holiday report

A survey by budget hotel operator Travelodge has revealed that almost two thirds (65 per cent) of Brits will be spending their summer holiday on home turf this year with London replacing Cornwall as the top holiday destination for domestic tourists.

The survey of 3,000 British adults found that despite last summer's bad weather, the majority were not looking to go abroad to sunnier climes this year. Instead, there was a 24 per cent rise in the number looking to save money and remain in the UK for their annual break with a predicted boost of £12bn to the economy.

However, while seaside resorts have benefited from the staycation trend in previous years, Travelodge's fifth annual travel report shows that holidaymakers' habits may have been changed by the weather with city breaks becoming the most popular choice. London and Edinburgh are this year's top two destinations, replacing Cornwall and The Lake District in 2012.

Travelodge chief executive Grant Hearn said: “The staycation trend accelerating to record levels and boosting our economy by £12bn this year is a very welcome sign and hopefully this is the start of our 2012 Olympics legacy gain.

“During 2012, our capital city was showcased in its true glory to all corners of the UK and the world, and it’s a great result that London has been crowned as the top staycation destination for 2013."

Holiday habits

The survey found that the average trip would cost £399.28 per person this year with holidaymakers from Wolverhampton, Liverpool and Cardiff likely to splash out the most on their holidays. However, just over a fifth said they would wait until May to book their holiday due to money constraints.

Forty-two per cent of 'staycationers' are planning a week’s holiday in the UK this summer while 15 per cent will take two weeks and 33 per cent will split their holidays over three shorter breaks to visit different locations.

Hearn said despite the good news for the industry, there was still work to be done to capitalise on the trend and pointed towards the Government to make things better for hospitality and tourism in the UK.

"We cannot rest on our laurels," he said. "As one of Britain’s biggest business sectors, the opportunity to grow is still great. We are not yet near to unlocking the true potential of our industry. British tourism needs to be treated like a serious business sector and the Government needs to move our industry from the ineffective Department of Culture Media & Sports to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills. Lack of immediate action is costing jobs, growth and investment.”

Staycation trends: