Economic circumstances in the UK means that many more people will be holidaying at home rather than going abroad. Families who usually spend a fortnight in Turkey or Spain are opting for a week away and then a couple of days by the sea when they get back. It isn’t that the UK doesn’t have plenty of facilities for holidaymakers; it’s just that the weather is more pleasant abroad.
In times of recession what most people are looking for is value for money, whether that’s in the food and clothes that they buy or where they choose to go for a holiday. Many families are finding that by holidaying in the UK for a week or a fortnight rather than going abroad, can save them a significant amount of money, especially now that air fares have risen across the board. Poor exchange rates are another factor that are making British holiday makers think twice about holidaying abroad.
The UK does have some wonderful beaches, especially round the Devon and Cornwall areas and if you book early, then you may save quite a bit on renting a holiday cottage for the week. Other holiday resorts such as Blackpool, Skegness and Great Yarmouth are regaining their popularity because there is plenty for families and couples to do. Most British holiday resorts offer a range of things for people to enjoy and this makes them ideal for people of all ages.
If the seaside doesn’t appeal to you then both the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales are ideal for holidays in the countryside. If you enjoy climbing, walking and biking and plenty of real ale in the evenings then a holiday in one or other of these areas might be ideal.
Some families have decided that they really cannot afford a full week’s or fortnight’s holiday and so they are looking at shorter breaks. Places like Centre Parcs, which are situated right across the country, offer four day holidays with activities to suit all the family. Even if you are trying to cut back on non-essential spending, a four day break should be affordable for a good number of people.
In the nineteen fifties and early sixties a lot of poorer families would have days out at the sea or the countryside rather than staying away over night. Families who really are hard pressed for cash this summer might want to consider resurrecting the day trip, which would be considerably cheaper than staying in holiday accommodation.
One of the beauties of the UK is its size; it is possible to go to all sorts of places as day trips, when in other, larger countries this might not be so easy. Whatever UK holiday makers decide to do this year, last year suggested growing trends towards holidays at home and shorter holidays. If more people do decide to holiday in the British Isles this year rather than abroad, it would certainly give a much needed boost to the UK economy.
Vincent Norman is a freelance writer living in the UK. He regularly contributes articles for The Online Shopping Centre, who offer the best range of online travel sites.
