London is the top choice in Britain (Image: Alexander Spatari/Getty Images)
Families are expected to spend up to £20billion on staycations this year. More than half the population are planning their main summer holiday in the UK, say experts. Around eight million are already enjoying UK breaks this Easter and seaside bookings for later are rocketing. Uncertainty over Brexit and memories of last year's long hot summer - which many believe will be repeated - have made our beaches top choice.
Tourism body VisitBritain is predicting a bumper season and says that inland destinations will benefit as well as resorts Sunny 21C/70F Rome Sunny Supplied by MeteoGroup on the coast. Britons took 57.9 million holidays in the UK in 2018, spending £14.3billion. But experts believe these figures will be much higher this year, potentially topping £20billion.
The 2019 Staycation Index analysed bookings data and consumer research to reveal the most popular UK destinations, as well as the nation's views on holidays.
The research revealed that two thirds of Britons chose to take a break in the UK at least once in 2018, up from 56 per cent who said Rome Sunny 21C/70F Supplied by 21C/70F they stay-cationed in 2017. The trend for holidaying at home is now spreading to main family summer breaks. VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said: "We are hearing from many destinations that they are looking ahead to a strong summer season.
"The certainty of budgeting for a holiday at home, the ease and convenience and the quality on offer are all tempting people."
The boost in British breaks is partly due to Brexit, with a quarter of those asked saying that uncertainty surrounding the UK's EU exit has encouraged them to holiday at home this year.
This increases to 38 per cent of those aged 18-24. Last year's unusually Paris Sunny 24C/75F Rome Sunny 21C/70F warm weather has also persuaded holidaymakers to stay in Britain.
MeteoGroup More than one in 10 polled say that last year's exceptional heatwave has influenced their travel choices for this year.
VisitBritain's Patricia Yates (Image: NC)
I expect the growth of British breaks to continue
Graham Donoghue
Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages who drew up the index, said: "The UK offers everything from beach breaks to adrenaline-fueled adventures, meaning staycations are every bit as attractive as a
