Even with the promise of mass vaccination offering protection from Covid-19 by spring, people are still planning to stay in the UK for their holidays this year.
According to new research from holidaycottages.co.uk, many holidaymakers are reluctant to travel abroad due to uncertainty over shifting travel restrictions.
Their survey reveals 84% of the UK will consider a staycation this year. The ‘bucket list’ top 10 destinations for 2021 are:
- Cornwall (48%)
- Scottish Highlands (43%)
- Devon (43%)
- Cumbria/Lake District (41%)
- Yorkshire Dales (35%)
- Edinburgh (34%)
- Peak District (32%)
- Snowdonia (32%)
- The Cotswolds (31%)
- Dorset (30%)
This sees a change from 2020, where London was the top staycation spot with 11% of respondents saying they had visited the capital, followed by Cornwall (10%), Devon (10%), Edinburgh (9%) and Cumbria/Lake District (7%). The list for 2021 suggests people will be looking to more rural, picturesque locations for their holiday rather than the crowds and sights of big cities.
Despite travel restrictions caused by lockdown, the research shows UK tourists explored more of the country than before. Regarding the areas they had visited this year, around one in seven (14%) of Brits hadn’t visited that location before this year, and a further 8% had visited certain areas, but not others before.
Over half of people (52%) in total said they either only went on a staycation this year because they couldn’t travel abroad (22%), or claimed they have always wanted to visit the area but had never considered it before this year (30%).
Younger people were likely to visit cities and older people go to rural locations. The 18-24-year-old age group were most likely to say they would have never considered a staycation trip were it not for lockdown restrictions (42%).
Commenting on the research, Shannon Keary, digital PR manager at holidaycottages.co.uk, said: “This year has more or less cancelled all our travel plans, with Brits not being able to go abroad on holiday for the most part of the year.<
“However, our research shows the positive impact travel restrictions have had on the UK travel sector, with more Brits exploring the beauty of their country than ever before.
“It’s interesting to see that London was the most visited staycation spot, with younger people flocking to the capital for a break while they could this year.
“It’s also great to see the places that Brits have discovered for the first time this year as well as their bucket list destinations.
“With 84 per cent considering a staycation in the future, it can be said that this year was the year of rediscovering Britain and all our island has to offer.”
