In a significant uptick from previous years, the August Bank Holiday Trip Tracker survey by VisitEngland reveals that 9.7 million Brits have confirmed plans for an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the upcoming Bank Holiday weekend. This surge in domestic tourism is poised to inject an impressive £2.7 billion into the economy.
These figures demonstrate an encouraging trend in domestic travel, with an increment of 4.4 million from the prior year’s results. While 5.3 million Brits had set such plans in motion in 2020, the numbers for 2019, 2018, and 2017 stood at 8.6 million, 7.3 million, and 6.9 million respectively.
Expressing her enthusiasm about this development, Patricia Yates, the Chief Executive of VisitEngland, remarked, “It’s heartening to observe that a record number of Brits are gearing up for a domestic escape this extended weekend. The UK is teeming with unparalleled accommodations and attractions, ranging from our picturesque countrysides and coasts to our bustling cities. Given the unpredictable nature of this summer, the tourism sector will undoubtedly welcome this influx with open arms.”
Yates further highlighted the crucial economic role of Bank Holidays, not just for the immediate injection of funds into local domains, but also for the subsequent employment opportunities they bolster. “Beyond the immediate uplift, such weekends are pivotal for businesses to amass essential cash reserves as they prepare for the autumn,” she added. This comes against a backdrop of rising living costs that have understandably influenced travel decisions, underscoring the imperative of prolonging the tourism season further into the fall and beyond.
An intriguing aspect of the survey indicated that 4.3 million individuals remained uncertain about their Bank Holiday weekend plans, with reasons ranging from weather uncertainties and financial constraints to awaiting special offers.
For those abstaining from an overnight sojourn, the primary deterrent was economic limitations. This aligns with VisitEngland’s recent consumer sentiment survey, released on 21 August, indicating that predominant obstacles to domestic overnight stays in the imminent six months included the escalating living costs, unpredictable UK weather, and personal finance concerns.
