Member Article

Summer in the UK : The Rise of the Staycation

This summer has been one for the record books: 2013 has been theninth hottest and seventh sunniest since records began. With such great weather Brits had no reason to holiday abroad; a massive 41 million people opted for a staycation and holidayed within the UK.

With summer 2013 receiving a record average of 588 hours of sunshine many British businesses reported increased business. Suffolk was a particularly sunny region in the UK and saw more than 620 hours sunshine - equal to both Devon and Cornwall. An agency specialising in holiday homes in this region found a 20% increase of interest in their Suffolk cottages this summer, they explain that “people have no reason to travel abroad, when the weather is so beautiful here”.

Retailers are also reaping the benefits of staycationers, British shops have enjoyed a boost in retail sales. The Office for National Statistics report a 3% increase compared to July 2012 and have experienced their steepest monthly rise for two and half years. Sales of garden furniture and of fans and air conditioning saw a huge increase in sales, with B&Q reporting a 300% growth on last year’s figures.

For the past three years the number of adults staying on British shores has steadily increased. This year saw 65% of adult deciding on a domestic holiday, up 33% and 85% on 2012 and 2011’s share of those holidaying locally.

More and more people are choosing to not go abroad for many reasons. A recent survey found that a third of holidayers found a foreign holiday too expensive and that the UK is better value for money. Over one third of Britons stay to support the local economy and tourism and others like to travel within the UK because it is a lot more eco-friendly than flying.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Barton .