More people in the UK are choosing to holiday within the country this year, as rising fuel prices and concerns over international travel disrupt plans for trips abroad, according to a report by the Financial Times.The shift is already visible across the travel industry, with several holiday operators reporting a rise in domestic bookings during Easter, along with strong demand for the May half-term and summer season.Search data supports this trend. Airbnb recorded a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for UK stays during the May bank holidays. Popular destinations include Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Herefordshire, Gwynedd and Derbyshire, while Whitby in North Yorkshire emerged as a top choice during Easter, alongside the Lake District and coastal areas in Dorset, Devon and Wales.Travel companies say the nature of bookings is also changing. Hannah Harrison, commercial director at the Coaching Inn Group, told the Financial Times that demand has picked up steadily since spring. “We’re seeing an increase in bookings and people who are booking are spending more and staying longer,” she said.Holiday park operators are also reporting growth. Haven said bookings across its coastal sites rose by 10 per cent compared with last year, while Sykes Holiday Cottages saw an 18 per cent increase in visits over Easter. Butlin’s said its resorts were operating at full capacity, with a surge in last-minute bookings.Industry leaders suggest uncertainty around global events is influencing decisions. Matthew Price, chief executive of Awaze, told the Financial Times: “People don’t want to commit to the flight.” He added that rising household costs are also shaping behaviour, with travellers still seeking breaks but becoming more cautious about spending.Economic data reflects this shift. Barclays reported that UK consumer spending on travel fell by 3.3 per cent in March compared with last year, marking the first decline since 2021. Many travellers appear to be delaying trips or opting for more affordable domestic holidays.At the same time, demand for international travel has weakened. Data from Trivago shows searches by UK travellers for Middle East destinations have dropped by 48 per cent, while interest in Turkey and Cyprus has fallen by more than a third, the Financial Times reported.For UK hospitality businesses, the rise in staycations offers some relief. Operators have been dealing with higher costs, including energy bills, wage increases and rising business rates. Ian Dunstall, director at Upham Inns, told the Financial Times that strong domestic demand could help offset these pressures. “Strong staycation demand would be a good compensation for us,” he said.However, challenges remain. Industry estimates suggest the average hospitality property is facing a 15 per cent increase in business rates this year, adding further strain on the sector.Rising fuel prices are also a concern. Petrol prices have climbed to around £1.58 per litre, the highest level since 2022, raising questions about how much consumers can continue to spend.Adam Charity, managing director at the Coaching Inn Group, warned that financial pressure on households could limit the boost. “My growing concern is about the actual available cash people have to spend,” he told the Financial Times.While domestic tourism is seeing renewed momentum, the sustainability of this trend will depend on how economic conditions evolve in the coming months.
