Staycations are ‘encouraged’ when life returns to normal

GREAT British staycations will be encouraged by the Government “when it is safe”, it has been revealed.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that, while staying overnight away from home is currently prohibited, domestic holidays will be encouraged when the virus is under control.

It comes amid a surge in interest in holidays in Britain as it becomes more and more clear that summer holidays abroad will be cancelled.

Little Emperors, a luxury travel agent, said it had seen a 60 per cent jump in inquiries for UK holidays since the Government began lifting lockdown restrictions on Sunday, while Clickstay, an accommodation website, said interest was centred domestically.

A DCMS spokesman said: “As things stand people are not permitted to travel to a second home or to stay overnight in a home that is not theirs. When it is safe to do so, we will be encouraging people to book a great British holiday.”

The earliest hotels can reopen is July 4, according to the Government’s lockdown roadmap, depending on key tests for easing being met.

Meanwhile, Airbnb, the holiday lettings site, has extended its calendar block until the end of May.

Tom Hughes, of Clickstay, said there was a case for self-catering accommodation providers being allowed to open earlier than hotels.

“The idea of someone driving in their car to a cottage, opening it up and staying there doesn’t seem particularly high risk compared to someone getting on a train and going to work,” he said.

Ukhospitality, the hotel industry trade body, said it is still waiting for an announcement from the Government on when its members could reopen. The latest guidance for hotels was published on March 24, the day after the lockdown was announced.

Internationally, travel agents said demand for holidays overseas was very strong for the winter and the summer of next year.