One in three Brits plan to book a staycation this year – Blackpool tops list
Over a quarter of Brits (27%) say they are more likely to book a staycation in the UK this year as the cost-of-living crisis continues – with Blackpool topping the list of budget holidays.
The seaside town in Lancashire, which welcomed a record 18.8 million tourists in 2021 after Covid restrictions lifted, has been named the best value destination for a UK holiday, ranking top for accommodation, eating out, activities, and transport.
It was followed by city breaks in Cardiff and Liverpool, which both scored highly in the categories of accommodation, transport, and meals out.
And other budget beach breaks included Brighton, Skegness, and Scarborough.
Rounding out the top 10 list, chosen by a poll of 2,000 holidaymakers, were northern hotspots Newcastle, Morecambe, Whitby, and York.
The survey revealed that nearly one in four Brits (23%) have already booked a staycation for this year, and a further 34% intend to do so.
Graham Donoghue, chief executive of holiday letting agency Sykes Holiday Cottages, which commissioned the research, said: “Blackpool is an iconic British holiday destination.
“Not only does it encapsulate the best of a quintessential seaside staycation, but it also offers great value for money.
“With the rising cost of living continuing to put a squeeze on budgets, many holidaymakers will be looking to see where they can get the best value for money on holidays this year.
“Making travel plans closer to home could be an ideal solution, as it is easier to stick to a holiday budget while still spending quality time with loved ones.”
The research also revealed that a massive 94% said it is important to them that they are getting good value for money when booking a holiday, and 75% want to get the best bang for their buck with accommodation.
However, 26% of those who are planning to go away this year said their holiday kitties have decreased because of the rising costs they are contending with.
The study, conducted via OnePoll, found the average traveller will set aside nearly £1,800 for their trips this year.
Beautiful seaside town proves a hit – and it's also one of the UK's poshest places
To help keep within their budgets, one in three will book their getaways out of peak seasons, while 29% will spend more time researching the best deals.
And 28% will book self-catering accommodation so they can keep the cost of meals down while away.
But despite having less money than usual to go away with, almost two-thirds (64%) will not let it deter them from having a memorable trip.
Graham Donoghue added: “Despite the cost-of-living crisis, millions of Brits are still eager to get away in 2023, with many opting to stay in the UK instead of heading abroad on their holidays to keep costs down.
“But who can really blame them when there is much to love about going on staycations?
“Throughout the UK, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to a diverse range of landscapes, activities, and history to enjoy, offering multiple opportunities to create lifelong memories for all groups of travellers, no matter what your budget is.”
To help holidaymakers looking for an affordable getaway this year, Sykes Holiday Cottages has compiled a roundup of the UK's best value destinations, alongside tips and insights on how to stick to a budget, which can be found here.
TOP 10 BEST BUDGET STAYCATION HOTSPOTS:
- Blackpool
- Cardiff
- Liverpool
- Brighton
- Skegness
- Scarborough
- Newcastle
- Morecambe
- Whitby
- York
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