UK resorts reap rewards of summer ‘stay-cations’
Leading resorts have reaped the rewards of a ‘stay-cation’ boom, having seen an average increase of 9.6% this summer based on research of over 140,000 holidaymakers.
This year’s biggest winners are traditional coastal resorts such as Weston-super-Mare (up 18%), the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth (both up 17%) according to research, conducted by Shearings Holidays.
Fiona Greenhalgh, head of sales and marketing for Shearings, comments:
“Thousands of holidaymakers have rediscovered what the UK has to offer this year, with many people preferring to remain in this country to get better value and avoid rising exchange rates.
“With European package holiday costs set to rise further in 2009, we’re anticipating this boom in UK resorts to continue into next season and we’re working closely with agents to capitalise on this growth.”
The results of Shearings’ research are good news for the local economies of these resorts and are particularly reassuring for businesses in Weston-super- Mare following the damage caused to the resort’s fire-ravaged Grand Pier.
Wayne Entwistle, general manager of the Grand Atlantic hotel in Weston-super- Mare said: “Weston-super-Mare is a fantastic resort with a beautiful award winning beach and typical seaside attractions. It is proving to be an excellent base resort to explore what Somerset has to offer.
“The recent tragedy of the Grand Pier certainly hasn’t put people off; some 60,000 people are reported to have visited the resort last weekend alone and we’re continuing to receive high volumes of enquiries and bookings at the Grand Atlantic Hotel.”
Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency, VisitBritain says:
“Despite our national obsession with the weather, British breaks today can easily compete on value and quality against rival destinations overseas. Our heritage and history, seaside resorts with fantastic beaches for fossil-hunting or building sand-castles, city breaks and cultural attractions, and romantic getaway locations, make us an appealing holiday option for families and couples, or for breaks with mates.”
TOP 10 WINNERS OF THE STAYCATION BOOM
Holiday Resort % rise in bookings [Jan-Jul 2008 compared to Jan-Jul 2007]
1. Weston-super-Mare 18.82
2. Ryde, Isle of Wight 17.79
3. Bournemouth 17.55
4. Llandudno 16.04
5. Scarborough 15.27
6. Braemar 15.82
7. Eastbourne 11.64
8. Oban 10.55
9. Whitby 8.75
10. Rothesay, Isle of Bute 7.98
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