Holidaymakers opt for British seaside
HOLIDAYS to traditional British seaside towns are undergoing a revival among families nostalgic for the summers of old.
The number of people booking hotels in towns such as Eastbourne, Bridlington, Whitby, and Weymouth has risen far more quickly than other areas of the country, according to
The travel company’s data showed the biggest increase in visits had been to Southend-on-Sea in Essex, where bookings are up 364 per cent from five years ago, while Skegness has enjoyed a 191 per cent increase in bookings since 2011.
Andrea Tarpey, a holiday expert at the company, said a “strong trend” for vacations within the UK had set in following the Olympics and the Royal Wedding, with parents keen to keep traditions going.
“Britain’s seaside vacations are in fashion, with tourism figures at a record high in places such as Blackpool and Southend-on- Sea,” she said. “Our customers tell us there is a strong trend for British nostalgia such as donkey rides, pastel beach huts, Punch & Judy shows, 99s, vintage trains shuffling down the promenade and open air theatres on the sands.
“People are also still cautious about spending in excess post-recession.”
More recently, there are other reasons that could contribute to a considerable drop in trips to overseas destinations.
Last-minute bookings to Greece have fallen by around 30 per cent during its economic crisis.
Travel agents last month cancelled all holidays to Tunisia following the terrorist attack and the Foreign Office pulled holidaymakers out of the region.
Travellers are now being told there is a “high threat from terrorism” in Egypt following an attack on a naval vessel. Ms Tarpey, of
said that many people were “rediscovering” their love of the British seaside in a trend that was “set to continue”.