11 November 2009

Return of English holiday no Ã¢â¬Ëœflash in the panÃ¢â¬â¢

Almost three quarters of adults (72%) are likely to take a domestic break next year.

A survey for VisitEngland of 1,012 adults found that 95% of those who took a break in England this year say they are likely to return next year.

While many 2009 visitors (80%) visited in 2008, one in five returned after at least a year’s gap.

This study suggests the return to the great English holiday is no ‘flash in the pan’, but a result of holiday attitudes shifting as UK residents shun outbound travel for the variety on offer on home soil, the tourism body claims.

Factors including the recession and unfavourable exchange rates overseas as well as new accommodation options and attractions have fuelled the rise in domestic holidaymakers.

July results from the UK Tourism Survey showed that the number of holiday trips taken by UK residents within England were up by 40% year on year; amounting to almost two million more holiday trips taken.

Events next year highlighted at World Travel Market include the May release of a new Robin Hood film starring Russell Crowe which was partly shot in Surrey’s. Bourne Wood, a backdrop that will also appear in the upcoming movie The Wolfman.

London’s West End sees the advent of film favourites’ "Legally Blonde - The Musical" this December and "Ghost" next year.

In time for Easter’s school holidays, children will be able to enjoy the UK’s first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, set to open in Manchester.

March sees the opening of ‘FlowRider’ at Bodyflight in Bedfordshire, which will provide the chance to experience surfing without making a trip to the coast.

VisitEngland chief executive James Berresford said: "The research released today further confirms and highlights that the great England holiday is here to stay."

by Phil Davies