Domestic tourism up by 9% as more Brits holiday at home than ever before
A recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has highlighted that Britain will be more reliant on travel and tourism this year, seeing jobs and economic growth in the industry outstrip the wider economy thanks to highly anticipated global events such as the Queens Jubilee and London Olympic Games.
Indeed, while the report estimates that the travel and tourism sector will grow by 1.3% in 2012 further figures released by VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has revealed that Britain’s domestic numbers were on the up last year, receiving over 104 million domestic overnight trips in England, an increase of 9% compared to 2010 and the highest number of trips since the survey began in 2006.
Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, comments,
“Seeing as this is the third consecutive year that the number of domestic vacation trips has remained above pre-recession stages, it is obvious that the ‘staycation’ trend is still going strong in the UK.
“VisitEngland’s ‘Staycation Tracker’ reveals that that the majority of UK dwellers who had a holiday at home last year had a great experience with 85% stating that they had an excellent holiday while 78% believed that their holiday at home offered excellent value for money. Indeed, if we look towards this year and the myriad of events that will be taking place throughout the UK, domestic tourism will be at its greatest.”
While it appears that Brits are becoming more eager to discover what awaits them on their own doorsteps, it has been suggested that in terms of location the South West stands to gain most from this year’s tourism boost according to Prime Minister David Cameron who explained: “I hope the region will take a lead not just in welcoming the [Olympic] torch, but also in getting behind the Games and making sure 2012 is not just a great year for Britain, but a great year for the South West too.”
Meanwhile, data from VisitEngland (2011) has also identified that the largest number of domestic visitor trips in 2010 took place in south west England, equating to some 19.2 million trips and £3.6 million in spend.
Nick Spence continues,
“It’s not surprising that most domestic visitor trips take place in south west England given the appeal of sunny weather, fishing villages and pretty coastal retreats. The second homes market in the south west of England is one of the strongest with the number of holiday or second homes in the UK reaching, 246,494 in 2011 according to Primelocation.com. And, to tie in with the governments “Holidays at Home are GREAT” campaign, we are offering the 20.12% discount on our wonderful ‘staycations’ in the stunning south west area of Westward Ho!”
For those who are considering a ‘staycation’ this year why not make a luxurious apartment at Westbeach Devon your new holiday home?
Located in the North Devon tourist hotspot of Westward Ho, Westbeach Devon offers luxury apartments with dazzling sea views, close to the new village green and signature restaurants.
Phase I of the luxurious holiday resort, the ideal location for a UK break, is already complete and operational while increasing client demand has led phase II to now been released with 160 two bedroom executive apartments just 50m from one of Devon’s best loved beaches available from just £189,950.
Westbeach Devon offers the perfect lifestyle investment opportunity in an established UK tourist destination, from a developer with a clear track record, offering guaranteed returns plus a secure exit strategy, available with an exceptionally low deposit of10%.
For more information please contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com.