21 August 2008
It’s the final bank holiday of the summer and 10.8 million Britons1 are planning on travelling within Britain.
It’s the final bank holiday of the summer and 10.8 million Britons1 are planning on travelling within Britain. Around half (48 per cent or 4.9 million) will enjoy a holiday here in their own country.
Tom Wright, chief executive of national tourism agency VisitBritain, which released the figures, says: “It looks like all-round good news for Britain this month with Team GB success in Beijing and a triumph for Destination GB as well. Whatever happens with the weather, there is plenty that can be enjoyed on along the coast, out in the countryside or on a city breaks, whatever your age, interest or whoever you’re with.”
The news follows reports that Britons are rediscovering the delights of a domestic break. This summer, Travelodge, Pontins, Hoseasons and Lastminute.com have all reported increasing interest or bookings from British travellers for British destinations.
Grant Hearn, Chief Executive of Travelodge, said:
“A combination of factors has led to many Brits choosing to stay at home and rediscover the more traditional holiday locations this summer. Our seaside hotels have done roaring business, with locations such as the Lake District also performing exceptionally. Within our shores are countless attractions and locations that offer a great value day out and I am sure that all across the UK families are going to have a wonderful Bank Holiday.”
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Further information: Elliott Frisby, Corporate PR Manager, 020 8563 3035 or 07915 996241
Notes to Editors
· 1Based on 22% of British adult population of 49,051,000 (Office for National Statistics) saying that are planning on travelling within Britain. Source: TNS Trip Tracker Survey of 1000 adults conducted 15-17 August 2008
· VisitBritain has created a dedicated online media centre with copyright-free, broadcast quality moving images, a library of free photographs, copyright-free articles and features about the UK’s Olympic venues, as well as sports-related activities, experiences, attractions and destinations and what’s new around the UK.
· VisitBritain is responsible for promoting Britain as a world class tourist destination and for developing England’s visitor economy. It has representatives in 36 countries around the world and, in the last three years, has expanded into China, throughout Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, and increased its presence in India with representatives in Bangalore and Mumbai.
· Provisional figures for 2007 indicate there were 32.6 million visits to Britain, -0.5% down on 2006. They spent £16.0 billion in the UK: a -0.3% decrease on 2006.
· VisitBritain’s international website, www.visitbritain.com, was awarded World’s Leading Tourism Authority Internet Site for the fourth year in a row at the 2007 World Travel Awards by more than 200,000 travel and tourism professionals. With information provided in 26 different languages, every year over 12 million visits are made by international consumers to the 46 websites that make up visitbritain.com.