UK Travel - Are Brits Staying at Home in 2009

• By: Editor
• On: 04/Mar/2009
• In: UK Travel Tips

2009 sees a very tough tourism market forecast – The BAA [which runs Heathrow and Gatwick] have reported significantly lower passenger numbers. UK airports handled a total of 9.4million passengers in January 2009, a drop of 6.3% on the same month in 2008.

People are spending less and UK Tourism Industry experts predict that travel customers will be more frugal with their spending, and will take less frequent trips abroad, and probably will focus on one major holiday for the family. It is felt that travellers will not sacrifice that one family holiday, however negative the economy gets – so the onus is on domestic trips for 2009. Customers are getting more cost conscious – but at the same time more selective in their choice of holiday. The recession which has swept worldwide has caused people to examine how they lead their lives – and the cost of a holiday abroad is now being carefully assessed.

A major factor in Brits staying at home is the dramatic drop in the Sterling Exchange rate compared to the Euro. On the 1st of January 2008, one euro was worth 0.75 Sterling, today a euro is worth 0.88 pence Sterling. In December 2008 The pound suffered extremely badly against the euro, dropping a record 17 per cent that month. At this time last year a pound was worth 1.31 euro, now it has dropped to 1.12 euro. This is a huge reason why UK holidaymakers feel the need to stay at home, and shop local as it were.

Further evidence of the growth in numbers of Brits staying at home this year is the latest figures from the Association of British Travel Agents who announced that domestic bookings in January are up year on year. Hotel breaks are to be replaced by self catering holidays, with Hoseasons, Butlins and the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) all announcing increased business. In fact, Butlins have reported that bookings for the school summer holiday are up 15 per cent on last year. The YHA confirmed January bookings were well up on 2008. With the dramatic drop in Sterling compared to the Euro, UK holidays are going to be cheaper than going foreign – if you take a holiday in a cottage you have more freedom and flexibility – you just pack up the car and bring your own food should you wish.

Find out more about UK domestic holiday trends.

Thinking of staying at home this year in the UK? Check out our Car Hire UK page.

Got any opinions on whether it is better to holiday at home or abroad? Which holiday offers the best flexibility and overall value for money? If you have any UK travel tips please let us know. We appreciate your comments!