Bookings start to soar from Cornwall to the Caribbean
STAYCATION bookings are soaring, along with winter sun holidays, as customers remain unsure about whether they can go on holiday this summer.
In the UK, Cornwall and Devon are the most soughtafter destinations, according to the UK’s largest holiday park operator, Parkdean Resorts.
Meanwhile travel company Travel Counsellors reported that more bookings were made in the first two weeks of June than the entire month of April.
Seven out of 10 of the bookings made last week were to the Caribbean and Indian Ocean for later this year or early 2021.
But seven in 10 Britons said they were waiting for further clarification on the UK’s 14-day quarantine rule, as well as any restrictions at their outbound destination, before they booked.
People also wanted more information on health and safety measures at airports, on board planes and at their accommodation.
Kirsten Hughes, Travel Counsellors’ UK managing director, said: “We’re seeing positive signs that as lockdown eases, customers are
considering their options for travel this year and next.
“But it’s clear that customers still have concerns over the quarantine restrictions in the UK and in other countries.”
Meanwhile a separate survey of 2,019 adults by Parkdean Resorts revealed that 66 per cent wanted to book a staycation this year.
Nearly half (44 per cent) thought “a UK break feels more likely to go ahead than an international holiday”.
The most popular destination was Cornwall, with 20 per cent of respondents saying they wanted to go there most. Devon was second at 14 per cent, followed by Dorset (6 per cent), Norfolk (5 per cent) and Lincolnshire (5 per cent).
There has also been an 103 per cent increase in internet searches for “travel UK” compared with last year. Beach breaks top the list of the type of holidays people are searching, at 51 per cent.
Caravan holidays are also on the up, with UKcaravans4hire. com reporting a 36 per cent increase in inquiries in June.
Director Gareth Irving said: “Holiday parks are a great alternative for people looking to escape to Britain’s beaches and countryside.”