Demand for UK summer staycations soars for 2021

The demand for domestic UK holidays this summer will exceed pre-pandemic levels, according to this new survey.

The poll of 2,000 consumers by market research agency Mintel indicated that a total of £7.1 billion will be spent on so-called staycations between July and September.

This is up from £5.8 billion in 2019.

Although the value of the domestic holiday market across 2021 as a whole is expected to be 11% short of 2019 levels, Mintel expects it to fully recover next year.

Last summer Liverpool hotel bosses spoke of the demand from domestic travellers and the city could once again benefit when restrictions are lifted.

Andrew Spencer of Duke Street hotel, Lock & Key said:

““I think anyone who was really apprehensive about it, just didn’t travel, but for those who did the layout of Liverpool has been a big help in reassuring them.

“They’re near the waterfront and within a 15-20 minute walk in any direction they can get to most places they want to see. That’s something people have really been commenting on – how easy it is to get around and see everything on foot so they don’t need trains or taxis.

“They can spend all day outside and feel comfortable, and if we can do that in the hotel as well then they’ll go away having had a change of scenery and not have worried.”

Mintel associate director Marloes De Vries said demand for domestic breaks could reach a 10-year high this summer due to huge pent-up demand after many 2020 trips could not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

She went on: “The UK holiday market will continue to benefit from cautious and price-sensitive consumers who will opt to stay closer to home.

“The introduction of quarantine hotels and compulsory testing for all arrivals adds another layer of uncertainty in what would normally be an important booking period.

“As a result, more travellers will choose to book a staycation.”