Could 2011 be the year of the homeliday?
Fuel prices, air taxes, job losses and pay freezes are forcing holidaymakers to consider swapping their overseas trip for a staycation this year, we’ve been told, but now a new survey shows that some think they’ll be better off travelling abroad.
According to a poll by TripAdvisor, the steady but consistent rise in petrol prices could have a detrimental effect on UK domestic holidays.
A survey of over 2,000 British travellers revealed that 19% were less likely to holiday in the UK this year because they said driving would be too expensive.
The results come just weeks after the Government released its new tourism strategy aimed at growing domestic travel.
“British drivers are clearly frustrated with the ever-rising cost of petrol,” said TripAdvisor spokeswoman Emma O’Boyle. “It makes British road trips less feasible and low-cost flights to other countries more appealing."
However, since airlines are increasing fuel supplements and major tour operators admit to seeing a fall in forward bookings for this summer, perhaps the staycation will come to meet precisely that – staying at home. A homeliday, maybe?
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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