UK seaside breaks are booming as hard-up holidaymakers swap Benidorm for Blackpool.
The cost-of-living crisis, rising package holiday prices and the woe of flight delays and cancellations mean many of us are not venturing abroad – and are forecast to spend £20billion on staycations instead.
A report found 63% have booked a summer holiday – up from 42% at this time last year – and 72% of them are staying in the UK.
Some 43% are heading to the coast, with Cornwall the top destination followed by Devon, the Isle of Wight, Whitby in North Yorkshire and Blackpool, Lancs.
Rural breaks are planned by 25% with the Lake Dis-trict the top draw, followed by North Wales, the Highlands, the Cotswolds and Northumberland.
And a fifth will take a UK city break this summer, with London, Edinburgh and Cardiff topping the list. The report, by Travelodge, also found the average holiday has gone up from three days to five – and we plan to spend nearly twice as much on a summer holiday this year. In 2022, the average UK break cost £515.13 but spends of £1,011.30 are forecast this year.
However, people are looking to make their money stretch further.
Of those polled, 46% said they have budgeted to start each day with a full English, as it’s the most cost-effective way to fuel a day out.
And 35% will shop locally and make a picnic lunch daily, while 20% will create a wallet of money-saving vouchers for meal deals while out.
But the report found a quarter of us insist a summer holiday is one of the few things we refuse to cut back on – whatever the economic climate.
Travelodge’s Shakila Ahmed said: “Brits are prioritising and taking a well-deserved staycation, despite the rising cost of living, as a break has become one of life’s necessities.
“Bookings data shows Brits are getting creative and resourceful with their budget and planning.”
Top five coastal spots
1 Cornwall
2 Devon
3 Isle of Wight
4 Whitby
5 Blackpool
Top five rural spots
1 Lake District
2 North Wales
3 Scottish Highlands
4 The Cotswolds
5 Northumberland
