Brits to spend £8bn on staycations this Xmas, says Travelodge

Some 36% of Britons are marking the end of 2021 with a festive staycation over the 12 days of Christmas spending an estimated £8bn, according to new research from Travelodge. Travelodge revealed the average ‘Crimbocation’ is going to be for three nights and will cost on average £346.13. The findings come from Travelodge’s latest Travel Index which saw the hotel chain, which operates 582 hotels across the UK, survey 2,000 British adults to seek their festive season travel plans. Additional findings from the study revealed that 50% of Britons reported that 2021 has been an “extremely stressful year” and they need a festive short break in order to “reconnect with their families this Christmas”. It added that over half of British travellers (57%) reported that they are taking a multi-location break and visiting two different locations over the festive period, such as combining a UK city break with a visit to see friends or family. Interestingly, Travelodge said that 43% of those surveyed said that they have booked a hotel room when visiting family and friends this festive season. The main reasons given were that it “supports social distancing, eliminates the stress of getting under the host’s feet and that you have the freedom to come and go as you wish”. Craig Bonnar, Travelodge chief executive, said: “We are seeing a strong level of leisure bookings across our 582 UK hotels this festive season. Britons are trying to make the most of this wonderful time of the year and are getting outdoors to experience what makes Britain so great at Christmas time. “Key destinations are historic UK cities dressed for the festive season that feature a Christmas market and are renowned as top shopping and entertainment destinations such as Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath and London.” He added: “As the nation’s spare room provider, we are also seeing more Britons booking a room at one of our 582 Travelodge hotels when visiting friends and family this festive season. Nowadays, not many households have a spare room and Britons have outgrown sleeping on the sofa or on the floor, comfort is key and our Travelodge Dreamer beds don’t disappoint on getting a good night’s sleep.”