EUROPE AFRICA AMERICAS APAC ME


Cobblers to the “staycation” – people want “awaycations”

Wednesday, 26 Mar, 2010 0

 

“Awaycations" continue to be far more popular than "staycations" although both are part of the overall holiday mix.
 
People are opting to take domestic short breaks but still seek out guaranteed sun on longer duration holidays abroad due to the uncertainty of the UK weather.

TUI Travel mainstream managing director Dermot Blastland coined the “awaycation” term during last night’s TravelMole Travel Industry Question Time debate into the staycation.

“Where did the staycation come from?” he asked. “It’s just a complete load of cobblers. We should call overseas holidays awaycations so we’re on the same level.”

 
Describing staycations as a “side show”, he confirmed that the Thomson and First Choice parent had raised capacity for this summer due to demand.
 
And further growth in summer sun foreign holidays is expected over the next few years as the economy begins to recover and the pound regains strength.

Blastland conceded that the UK had benefitted last year from a drop in travellers taking European short breaks.

 
But he said: "It’s not about the UK verses the rest. It’s one holiday option that people may or may not try.

“England is a great destination but has it got anything to do with the people who take our holidays, I don’t think so. People will do anything to protect their overseas holiday. Loads of other things will take a hit first.”

 
And Blastland quipped on the day after the last Budget before the general election, that people were looking to escape the UK’s economic woes by heading for the sun.

Ian Ailles, managing director of Wyndham European Rentals, which recently took over Hoseasons, described how the trend in UK holidays last year had continued into 2010 with booking levels up, suggesting that interest in UK holidays was being maintained.

 
He disputed suggestion from Arkenford Research director Ben Moxon that people who holidayed in the UK in 2009 will take an overseas holiday this year.
 
Moxon contended that those who were influenced to try a domestic holiday last year are now more likely to choose to go overseas in 2010.
 
But he said: “There is room for both products. The longer holiday in the UK is diminishing. But even in time of economic uncertainty people are still holidaying; it’s a necessity. It’s a big cake and there’s room for all of us.”
 
There was consensus that which ever government is in power after the general election, politicians need to take the travel industry as a whole more seriously and recognise the economic benefits both the domestic, outbound industries bring to the country.

VisitEngland head of industry services Jeremy Brinkworth said financial factors and unfavourable exchange rates had led a proportion of people who would normally take a foreign holiday to stay in the UK last year.

 
The Caravan Club had reported six million bed nights last year while holiday parks and self-catering accommodation also proved popular.
 
Brinkworth, speaking at the debate held at the Microsoft Advertising headquarters in London, admitted the organisation had a “resource issue” over working more closely with the trade to sell domestic holidays.
 
“We would like to do more with travel agents than we probably do,” he said.

 
This was reflected by TTA Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal who said only five per cent of the consortium’s annual sales of £1 billion last year were for domestic holidays and poor UK weather was an issue for people.
 
“People who took a domestic holiday in July and August will never do it again because it rained,” he said. “It costs a lot of money of you have children to keep them entertained. The uncertainty of the weather is a big problem.”
 
Youtravel sales and marketing director Paul Riches said consumers would not believe predictions of good weather in the UK after forecasters got last year’s predictions of a barbeque summer so wrong. 
 
“There’s lots of good PR about how good it’s going to be in the UK but people don’t believe it,” he said.
 
They are more likely to experience “dismal, cold summers” in the UK.
 
 by Phil Davies 


 

below social share icons
profileimage

Phil Davies



Celestyal Cruises

We’re the number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and Eastern Mediterranean – a fact we love to share! Our guests tell us it’s because we offer the only g...

Visit Morocco

Local spices spike the fragrant air of Morocco. Cradled by the dunes of the Sahara, the Kingdom has been inhabited for hundreds of thousands of years. Moroccan culture...

Avalon Waterways

Why Avalon Waterways: Happiness flows on an Avalon river cruise. From Asia to South America and Europe to the Nile, you’ll cruise in relaxed luxury with river cruising...

Uber for Business

Uber for Business is a powerful global platform for managing rides, meals, and local deliveries for companies of any size. Tap directly into our established products—i...

Holiday Extras

Holiday Extras is the UK market leader in airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire, airport transfers and holiday insurance. Es...

Rakuten Travel Xchange

Rakuten is a global powerhouse, with deep roots in Asia, and dominance in Japan. We enable our clients globally to send their guests anywhere in the world – all delive...

Latvia Travel

Latvia – a country in the Baltic region of Europe – may be small, but its pristine Baltic sea coastline and traditions tend to surpass even more iconic destinations of...

Blue Diamond Resorts

Blue Diamond Resorts consistently goes above and beyond guest expectations by delivering groundbreaking vacation experiences through our exceptional collection of accl...

It’s More Fun in the Philippines

ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES Mabuhay! Welcome to our archipelago of 7,641 islands where there are endless beaches, lively and fashionable cities, smouldering volcanoes, and u...

Canadian Affair

We are the UK’s leading Canada travel experts   Canadian Affair Company Information Founded in 1995, Canadian Affair offers an a la carte menu of services f...

Destination British Columbia

Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism i...

Virtuoso

Virtuoso is the leading global network of agencies specializing in luxury and experiential travel, with more than 20,000 advisors. We partner with over 2,200 of the wo...

South Australia

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. FOR THOSE WHO WANT A LITTLE MORE. South Australia. It’s a beautiful place. A place for the restless, for those who want to dive a little deeper, explo...

Jersey

This is Jersey. An island shaped by the sea where some of the most astonishing tides in the world circle the coast and feed the land. An island that’s small on size, b...

Princess Hotels & Resorts

Princess Hotels & Resorts is a hotel chain specialising in holiday and urban hotels located in first class tourist destinations, a choice which enjoys the favour, ...

Destination NSW

NSW, Australia Welcome to New South Wales – a place to feel free, feel alive, feel new. As the official tourism, destinations and events website, let us inspire your n...

Riskified

Our Mission Ecommerce has transformative powers, and we believe everyone should be able to take part. But outdated solutions and overwhelmed systems create uncertainty...

Via Croatia

Via Croatia is a concierge-type, full-service luxury DMC working exclusively with travel agents and luxury tour operators. With 20 years of experience and local partne...

EU free cabin bags: Will it lead to increased airfares
Most Read
mostcomentedimg 24-hour strike to paralyze air transport in Italy on September 26
advisor_img

CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
advisor_img

Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
advisor_img

Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
advisor_img

Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
advisor_img

Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season

Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know

Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham

Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago

Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research

Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact

Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference

Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role

Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal

Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination

Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness

Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future

Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
TRAINING & COMPETITION
topnews
Holland America Line teams up ...
topnews
Central Florida Insider: Get t...
topnews
Crystal Launches Sell Three, S...
topnews
Introducing Inclusive Collecti...
topnews
Unlock Exclusive Benefits, Red...
topnews
Mālama Maui By Visiting Mindf...
Skip to toolbar
Clearing CSS/JS assets' cache... Please wait until this notice disappears...
Updating... Please wait...