More Britons are choosing to holiday within the UK this summer as uncertainty over flights and rising costs fuel a shift towards domestic travel.
Holiday companies are reporting a surge in interest, with concerns over potential flight cancellations linked to the Middle East conflict prompting travellers to stay closer to home.
Raoul Fraser, boss of the holiday park operator Lovat, said bookings have risen sharply following reports of possible jet fuel shortages.
“It is definitely having a positive impact for us,” he said, adding: “Our holidays bookings are up over 30% this year… people just want the certainty of a nice holiday in the UK.”
The trend mirrors patterns seen during the Covid pandemic, when travel restrictions pushed more people towards domestic breaks.
Butlin’s also reported strong demand for the summer season, although families are increasingly booking at the last minute due to uncertainty.
Its chief executive, Jon Hendry Pickup, said: “Normally we get somewhere in the region of 15% to 20% of people booking a holiday in the last four weeks… Now it is roughly double that.”
Similarly, Jeremy Hipkiss of Landal UK noted that travellers are opting for destinations that are easier to reach.
“Increasingly guests are choosing destinations closer to home… giving them greater control over their plans,” he said.
The shift comes as fears grow over potential jet fuel shortages across Europe, with warnings that flight disruptions could intensify in the coming weeks.
Fatih Birol warned that Europe has limited jet fuel reserves, while Willie Walsh said cancellations could begin if supply issues persist.
At the same time, the cost-of-living crisis continues to influence travel decisions.
Peter Munk said: “Most people still want a holiday… it might be that they have fewer days or move closer to home.”
Research from Mintel suggests 52% of Britons are planning a UK holiday this year, compared with 49% intending to travel abroad.
Sinead O’Connor said: “We expect the value of the domestic holiday market to grow by about 7% this year… and to outpace growth in overseas travel.”
With ongoing uncertainty around flights, fuel supplies and travel delays, industry experts expect demand for UK staycations to remain strong throughout the summer.