Pandemic surge in staycations ‘set to be sustained in 2022

Two years of record-breaking demand for domestic breaks due to Covid-related international travel curbs is set to be sustained in 2022.

However, consumers want to take a long-overdue foreign holiday as overseas restrictions are eased as well as exploring the UK.

More than a third (35%) of those surveyed by travel deals firm Travelzoo indicating that they are likely to book three to four UK trips this year.

The firm’s latest top 20 deals release saw the highest number of clicks since before the pandemic with almost two thirds of respondents (59%) researching travel ideas for later this year, while 22% had already made domestic travel bookings.

The most important factor when booking UK hotel break is the ability to change dates or be flexible on dates without a penalty (45%).

Despite this, 86% of those asked said they would book a spontaneous UK hotel break if the offer was attractive enough, showing that value for money is also key.

Almost all (96%) of the 2,214 people surveyed said they would book a break even if they had not planned to if the deal was good.

Many listed upgrades, meals and wellness treatments as perks that would appeal to them.

Nearly half (45%) of respondents are looking for a cottage stay and 44% aim for a country or manor house hotel booking, rather than bigger chain hotels or B&Bs.

But the overriding feature that tempts British travellers is free parking with more than three quarters of respondents (79%) citing this as important.