THE GREAT HEATWAVE STAYCATION BONANZA!

Summer sparks surge in holidays at home

IRELAND is enjoying a staycation boom as holidaymakers flock to sun-soaked hotspots at home instead of taking trips abroad.

It comes as the country swelters in a seemingly unbreakable heatwave, bringing with it temperatures – and seaside getaways – not seen since the 1970s. The lengthy sunny days have also led to packed campsites, resorts, caravan parks and other holiday accommodation.

Camping website Glampsites.com said bookings have risen more than 100% in the last fortnight compared to the two weeks previous.

It is all to do with the heat, said the website’s Chris Bruce. ‘The number of bookings we were receiving soared

when the weather started to get warm in early June – and it’s only gone up since,’ he said. ‘With the weather we have at the moment, people just want to get outdoors and enjoy one of the many idyllic locations in Ireland.’

It is a similar story for hoteliers across the country with the Fota Collection Resort in Co. Cork agreeing the staycation phenomenon is ‘definitely on the rise’.

Marketing director Séamus Leahy told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘The Fota Island resort is recognised as a very popular family destination. We have always been fortunate that we get a lot of “staycationers” all year-round but in particular in the past few weeks of this glorious sunshine, the bookings have been extra busy.

‘We do get a huge number of Irish families coming to stay.

‘There’s two booking windows for families, the ones who are organised earlier in the year and then the last-minute bookings.

‘Overall, we have seen a greater demand since the sunshine and it’s great.’

He added: ‘It’s important that hoteliers do take advantage of the good weather and continue to offer value for families who wish to stay in Ireland.’

While the Irish camping experience can be marred by rain and low temperatures, this summer could not be more different with near-record temperatures of 32C.

Bríd Moran of Wave Crest Caravan and Camping Park in Caherdaniel, Co. Kerry, says she has had to turn away would-be customers at times as the place

‘Our ice cream machine is flat out’

has been so packed. ‘It’s the “Costa del Caherdaniel” and we have welcomed a huge amount of people and a huge amount of Kerry people who didn’t realise what they have on their own doorstep,’ she said.

‘We have a large deli and cafe and we are having to make sure we have enough staff to cope with the increased numbers.

‘Normally in this business you get a lead-in time to train in staff; now when our new staff start it’s like the August bank holiday weekend every day.

‘They have noticed more firsttime Irish campers than usual while overseas visitors are bemused at our clear skies and high temperatures. A lot of our Europeans came with the wrong clothes. They were expecting rain and they are flabbergasted.’

Similarly, Raymond Doyle of Wexford’s Carne Beach Caravan and Camping said: ‘The ice-cream machine is flat out.

‘Apart from the weather, we’re after getting a Blue Flag in the area,’ he said.

‘Day trippers have picked up an awful lot. We’ve been at full capacity for the last three weeks anyway. We have a shop and a pub and a chipper, and the day trippers are making a difference there.

‘In the likes of the chipper it really tells; people are getting a feed of chips on their way home.’

At Casey’s Caravan and Camping Park in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, campers are coming in their droves and extending their stays. Inland campsites like Nore Valley in Kilkenny still have plenty of spots, says a spokesman who adds: ‘When the weather is hot everyone goes to the coastal sites.’

Those seeking a vehicle for their escape are doing so in their droves with Europcar reporting an 11.4% surge in Irish licence-holders renting a car for more than three days compared to the same time last year. This comes with an overall rise of 4% across all car rentals.

According to the company’s director of business development, Colm Brady, it is a trend that is here to stay.

‘So far it looks like the trend will continue throughout the rest of summer 2018. Compared to last year, staycations in the month of June alone are up,’ he said.

‘It is a great sign for Ireland’s tourism sector that so many Irish residents are opting to holiday at home, and no doubt this month’s heatwave has made it easier to get out and enjoy all that Ireland has to offer.’

Official figures from the resurgence in domestic holidaying will not be released until later in the summer.

However, according to Fáilte Ireland, evidence of travel boom is already widespread.

‘We’ve been hearing anecdotally from tourism businesses all around the country that there has been a considerable increase in last minute bookings by Irish people and a surge in the Irish market due to the fine weather,’ said a spokesman.

‘When we have the full data later this year, we expect to have more evidence of a balmy bonanza and a very positive boost to tourism businesses across Ireland.’