Staycation still there but we need to take advantage of it

With the price of oil being so high and translating into higher fuel prices and a fuel surcharge on plane tickets, foreign holiday bookings are down compared to the same period last year, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics.

Total trips abroad were down by 6% in the year to January, which should present domestic tourism with plenty of opportunities to capitalise on the extra holiday-makers who have decided to stay at home.

However, few individuals have so far decided to take advantage – or are aware of – the long holiday potential in April. Effectively, the Easter bank holiday is followed by the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton – another bank holiday – and May Day, leaving just three working days between them. If those days are booked as holiday, people could take an 11-day break from work. But one survey compiled by HolidayExtra.com finds that only 16% of men and 20% of women have so far taken advantage of this opportunity. In total 76% of Britons don’t seem interested in booking the extra days off – or don’t know they can.

The possible extra business for the period is quite important and accommodation providers should do what they can to take advantage of this unique situation and maximise on its potential.