Brits stay on home soil for festive break, says VisitBritain
One in five Brits will take an overnight trip in Britain over the festive fortnight, according to figures from VisitBritain.
It says 9.8 million Britons, which is 21% of the population, will spend a night away from home but in their own country.
VisitBritain said the figure gives further credence to a potential boom for Britain’s tourism businesses in 2009 thanks to the weak pound
The tourism body believes the weak pound will attract visitors from the Eurozone and America, while Brits will reconsider an overseas holiday in favour of domestic destinations.
Amanda Smyth, head of England marketing for national tourism agency, VisitBritain, says: “This is a real chance to remind Britons that a holiday in their own country can easily rival overseas destinations.
“Come the New Year, tourism businesses from accommodation to attractions will demonstrate the deals and offers available on a wealth of experiences around the country.â€
Meanwhile, Holiday Extras has done its own survey to find out where Brits are going this Christmas. See separate story today.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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