More people are opting for longer stays at Center Parcs villages in the UK rather than regular short breaks.   The company reported a record year for the 12 months to April with an average annual occupancy of 95% across its four sites.   Sales and marketing director Colin Whaley said forward bookings were up by 10% compared with this time last year.   “This summer period a greater proportion of our guests are opting for stays of seven nights or more rather than the traditional short breaks,” he said.   Recent poor weather has also stimulated demand for summer breaks.   “In the economic current climate, we are encouraged by our performance so far and the significant investment we have made over the past three years is certainly paying dividends,” said Whaley.   “Our experience supports the notion that people are indeed choosing to stay in the UK for their holidays this year.” by Phil Davies

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Bruce Taylor Travel Journalist, Brussels 26 August 2009, 09:43:01 GMT Not in the online Compact Oxford English Dictionary, fortunately Archana Bhalla is absolutely right ‘staycation’ has apparently been in Websters since 2005. And you can even be a ‘staycationer’, if the mood takes you.... However, Microsoft still underlines it as a mistake (what’s new?), and I can only hope it never makes it into the Oxford English Dictionary. It is so ugly, un-poetic and certainly doesn’t reflect the spirit of a holiday. As regards my horizons, I can only plead that they’re not limited. I have lived and worked in 6 different European countries over recent years and I try to write clear, easy English for those who are not lucky enough to have it as their first language like most monolingual Brits, Americans…… I tried ‘staycation’ out on my Spanish wife this morning, and she was not amused. She had absolutely no idea what I was talking about…… And finally, it’s great to hear that the UK ‘staycation’ (there I’ve said it) industry is at last catching up with its overseas competitors and pricing attractively. Bruce Taylor, Travel Industry Journalist, Brussels   Archana Bhalla 25 August 2009, 16:45:01 GMT Staycation is a word in Websters collegiate dictionary-knowledge base for Bruce Taylor's comment Staycation has been described as a word in Webster's dictionary for many years, some journalists have obviously not looked beyond their limited horizons. Staycation has been the definitive trend for 2009 in the UK. Alongside Travel and Tourism, it has had a positive impact on local businesses as well like pubs, clubs and local grocery stores, especially those businesses who have adapted their product and services to suit these cost conscious customers. 25 of my close friends decided on staycation this year, saving themselves over £500 each-average booking value £600, helping UK economy as well. I made the bookings for them and I don't even work in Commercial Sales or Journalism (Finance-Business Analyst)! My research reflected that companies like Parkdean holidays have used the right distribution channels to capture the imagination of customers of all ages, including UK university students, who usually search for international vacation (Ibiza or U.S.).   Bruce Taylor Travel Journalist, Brussels 24 August 2009, 20:12:59 GMT Is staycation really a word.....? ....or is it the latest in a long line of British corporate bull****? It has appeared 4 times in this latest edition of TravelMole and I'm beginning to believe I´ve been abroad too long and lost contact with my own language. If it were not for Center Parks which is a great family product in all the countries in which it operates, I would think the expression meant some form of UK holiday 'stagnation' trend.   Tony Clish director, Park Holidays UK 24 August 2009, 11:09:41 GMT UK Holiday Parks Benefit From Staycation Trend It's certainly true that UK Holiday Parks have benefited from the staycation factor. 2010 and beyond are difficult to forecast though - with the exchange rates having swung back, higher unemployment coming through plus the poor summer weather - UK operators will need to work hard to see such strong growth continue. 2010 may be more about market share than overall market growth - though everyone likes both!!