The Impacts of Staycations in the UK
Travelling abroad wasn’t possible for the majority of the population this summer, so many Brits resorted to having a holiday closer to home. With winter approaching, many wonder whether staycations will continue to grow in popularity and help local economies.
Coastal Towns
As soon as lockdown restrictions were lifted, seaside towns across the UK saw an increase in demand. Hotel owners experienced the most bookings they’d had in years. The UK’s tourism industry doesn’t rely on overseas visitors as much as other European countries such as Spain and Greece, so there is hope this staycation trend will continue in the coming years. It wasn’t just coastal towns that saw an increase in bookings, caravans and holiday homes also saw a boom.
Support to Local Business
It has been reported staycations could boost the economy by £8 billion. The UK has a wide number of destinations for people to choose from, though as previously stated a large percentage of the population opted to pay a visit to the coast. With more Brits choosing to stay at home they can inject money back into the local economy, rather than spend money abroad. This is good news for local businesses, and there is hope that holiday-makers will continue to make up for lost time in the upcoming year.
Residents
However, this rise in staycations, while worthy of celebration for some – caused huge panic for others. Locals of these coastal towns were happy to see their towns so busy but also feared a second wave of Covid-19 would come flooding into their coastal paradise. Residents looked on in dismay as tourists ignored social distancing protocol. The staycation acts as a lifeline for neighbourhoods, but visitors need to respect the locals.
Here to Stay
Quintessential British holiday spots – coastal towns and caravan parks – were given a new lease of life this summer. However, this does beg the question: will it continue? A representative from Parks Holiday said: “Absolutely, staycations are certainly here to stay. Travelling abroad, whether people are concerned about health, hassle or the increased cost has meant people will turn more to the UK as a preferred destination. Holiday parks and UK hospitality, in general, have worked hard to match the increasingly sophisticated needs of the British customer.”
As restrictions continue to fluctuate and colder months arrive, there is no concrete answer for how long people will choose to staycation. Everyone in the country has to find the right balance between staying safe and helping the economy.
