Nearly 12 million planning festive staycation
About 11.6 million Brits plan a domestic holiday in the UK during festive season, bringing £3.3 billion boost to economy
VisitEngland is projecting 11.6 million Brits are planning an overnight festive holiday trip.
It released the Christmas Trip Tracker Survey highlighting an estimated £3.3 billion boost to the economy during the Christmas and New year period.
The figures are up by nearly a third (32%) on last year’s results, when 8.8 million had planned a domestic break.
Among those definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in England, nearly half (49%) are planning on taking two or more trips during the festive season.
The survey also shows that 7% of Brits have yet to decide if they will take an overnight trip during this time.
The main reasons for this are ‘waiting to see if there are any deals / special offers’ or ‘waiting to see what the weather is like.’
“It is encouraging to see many planning a short break with friends and family during the festive season, boosting the economy through tourism,” said VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates.
“We know from destinations across England that 2025 has been a very mixed picture as consumers wrestle with cost-of-living uncertainties and businesses with the higher cost of trading”.
Our latest consumer sentiment research shows that many people are booking last minute, wanting to save on accommodation, activities and seeking good value options.”
Popular seasonal activities Brits plan to do during the festive break, after visiting friends and family, include going out for a meal (41%), visiting a Christmas market (40%) and shopping at the post-Christmas sales (33%).
More than one-in-five (21%) will participate in outdoor activities such as walking or cycling.
Of those surveyed, younger people are more likely to spend money at seasonal shopping events with 42% of 16-to-24-year-olds planning to shop at post-Christmas sales, while half (50%) are set to visit a Christmas market.
Related News Stories: NYC welcomes nearly 65 million travelers Nearly 100 million Americans to travel for the holidays - TravelMole AAA: record 122 million to travel for the holidays Nepal tourism boosts its tourism budget to strengthen global marketing Brazil tourist arrivals up nearly 50% Hilton - TravelMole Hotel Archives - Page 142 of 1458 - TravelMole Türkiye's cruise tourism hits 12-year peak Morocco builds mega stadiums ahead of hosting the 2030 FIFA ... Hawaiian Airlines halting Boston-Honolulu flights
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026