Is the Trend of the Staycation Over? British Tourist Flock Back to Spain

Aug. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- The Prime Minister may not be joining them, in fact for the second year running he is staying in Britain, urging his countrymen to do the same. Yet many Britons have heard the familiar calling of the Mediterranean sun as they flock abroad to their Spanish villas.

While the staycation was a popular option last year, it would seem its popularity hasn't sustained. As the British summer fails, Spain have announced growing tourist figures over July and this is expected to remain in to August.

The strengthening of the pound against the Euro is also an attractive feature for the Brits wishing to return to the sun kissed beaches they used to be familiar with in less austere times.

The figures of foreign visitors taking an overnight stay in Spain increased by 11% this July over 2009's figures. Spain has been pulling in mainly Italians, French and Brits.

These figures show a marked difference from last year and may serve to indicate the beginning of the end of the staycation. Last year Holiday makers staying at home constituted a drop of 15 per cent in Brits travelling abroad for their summer holidays.

The news of the increase in Brits travelling to Spain really seems of scant surprise today as we compare weather forecasts: blistering heat in  Spain, flash floods predicted for Britain.

Temperatures in Malaga have reached 36c, while in Valencia they are at 37c and 33c in Majorca.

Along with the tough economic climate, the home holiday trend has also been aided by the Iceland's volcanic ash disruption and the British Airways staff walk-out.

Yet a strong incentive may also be the aggressive price cuts by tour operators, knocking 40 percent off last years prices. Certainly many Brits are willing to be coaxed from this most British of British summers, and Spain are doing all they can to get their tourist dollar.

A very popular option with travellers this year has been the vacation rental. Often offering many of the services that hotel will allow but at a much more reasonable price. Spanish holiday rental have been particularly popular as they allow travellers to take advantage of cheap flights or ferries to Spain.

For those sticking with the staycation trend holiday rentals in the Lake District and Cornwall have proven most popular. The Prime Minister, David Cameron, is currently holidaying in Cornwall, where he his wife has recently given birth to a daughter.

Meanwhile with Bank Holiday Monday coming up Madame Tussaud's has come third in a hate list regarding bank holiday destinations. Topping the list was an all inclusive resort in Benidorm.

Also in the list was Disneyland on an overcrowded day, while terminal 3 at Heathrow on a Friday evening also made an appearance in the list.

The list was conducted by lonely planet.


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