Staycations ? some pros and cons | Family Holidays

Posted on 29 June 2012.

One effect of this wet spring and summer in the UK is that tourism is suffering quite badly. The combination of bad weather and economic worries has resulted in many people who would normally holiday either in the UK or abroad electing to spend their holidays at home; the tourist industry has termed these types of breaks ?staycations?, as in a stay at home vacation, though sometimes the word is interpreted as meaning holidays taken in the UK rather than abroad.

One effect of this is that holiday providers have been forced to reduce their prices and the result is that, for those who are still looking for holidays away or weekend breaks, there are many cheap hotels to be found often in excellent locations.

Around 20 percent of households who would normally take an annual holiday either abroad or in the UK have decided that in 2012 they will either spend their holiday at home, or will combine a holiday at home with some days out or short breaks, depending on the weather. Whatever their decision, what has become even more important is both cost and value for money; finding a good deal is crucial.

In terms of the number of people who have simply cut back on holidays abroad and, in their place, intend to take a holiday away in the UK, it is expected that 2012 will be a record year. It seems that 6 percent more families will take this type of holiday in 2012 than did in 2011 and the total holiday spend on UK holidays in 2012 is expected to reach ?8.7 billion. The UK holiday destinations that will benefit from this the most are Cornwall, Edinburgh and the Lake District.

The UK government is also encouraging people to holiday in the UK this year rather than abroad, and it has launched a campaign in an attempt to persuade them to do so. The campaign is headed by a number of celebrities including Rupert Grint (of Harry Potter fame); Michelle Docker (from Downton Abbey), Julie Walters and the inimitable Stephen Fry.

However will staycations really save families money? There is a body of thought that believes holidaying in the UK is potentially more expensive than holidaying abroad. Currently the UK is quite expensive when compared to many popular overseas holiday destinations, and the high value of the pound means that exchange rates are much more favourable than they were last year. For instance, comparing a week in London to a week in Alicante during the high summer season, a holiday in London is around 60 percent more expensive.

On the other hand, if you want to holiday in the UK and save some money then there are plenty of ways of doing so. Forget the expensive restaurants or even fish and chip shops; bring back the old fashioned British picnic; not only is it much cheaper it is more fun and far healthier; many museums and galleries in London and other cities have free entry; and instead of taking the kids to a theme park take them for a hike or a bike ride in the countryside; they may complain at first but they will benefit more from it in the end.

Source: http://familyholidaysabroad.org.uk/staycations-some-pros-and-cons/

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