Confidence among UK accommodation providers is at a record high for the 2016 summer holidays, a new survey has found.
VisitEngland’s Business Confidence survey, the results of which were published this week, found that more than half of the 500 accommodation providers questioned were expecting an increase in visitors following the EU referendum.
English businesses are anticipating a strong summer holiday period with 65% of accommodation providers feeling “very confident” about the summer holidays and 47% reporting forward bookings as “very good” – both record highs for the survey.
Around 40% of accommodation providers and attractions reported increased visitor numbers in the year to date with a further 30% maintaining performance.
The news will come as a boost to many UK holiday parks and campsites following some uncertainty in the economy from the decision to leave the EU. Coupled with the threat of terrorism abroad, it is anticipated that so-called ‘staycations’ will provide the UK economy with a major shot in the arm.
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said: “It’s a great summer to holiday in England and a fantastic opportunity for the tourism industry to showcase the range of quality tourism products on offer across the country and demonstrate just why our regions should top people’s list as must-go now destinations.”
Ms Yates said that, with the weakened pound, a holiday at home also gave people the reassurance and certainty of budgeting for a domestic trip.
Meanwhile, VisitEngland’s figures showed that it has been a record-breaking first four months of the year for domestic holiday trips in England.
From January to April Brits took 11 million holiday trips, 8% more compared to the same period last year, and spent £2.8 billon, 22% up on last year and taking both measures to record levels for this period.
These figures come on the back of a strong 2015 with domestic holiday trips and spending both up 7% on the previous year to 43.7million holiday trips and £10.7 billion respectively.
The number of Brits taking short-breaks in England was up 10% compared to the previous year with people also taking about 4 million more short- breaks in England than they did ten years ago.
Also in 2015 domestic seaside holiday trips were up 7%, city holidays up 6% and countryside holidays up 12%.
Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The number of people enjoying holidays in England is at a record high. With our world-leading museums and galleries, beautiful countryside and stunning coastline, it should come as no surprise that more people are planning staycations this summer.
“Tourism contributes an estimated £60 billion to our economy every year, so a strong summer season is not only great news for the sector but the whole country.”
Source: VisitEngland