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Business confidence among accommodation providers is at a record high for the summer holidays, according to a survey from VisitEngland.
The ‘business confidence’ survey findings also show that out of 500 accommodation providers, more than half are expecting an increase in visitor numbers following the EU referendum outcome with a particular boost expected for the domestic market.
English businesses are predicting a strong summer holiday period with 65% of feeling “very confident” about the summer holidays and 47% reporting forward bookings as “very good” – both record highs for the survey.
Meanwhile, some 40% of accommodation providers and attractions reported increased visitor numbers in the year to date, with a further 30% maintaining performance.
Tracey Crouch, tourism minister, said: “The number of people enjoying holidays in England is at a record high. With our world-leading museums and galleries, beautiful countryside and stunning coastline, it should come as no surprise that more people are planning staycations this summer.
“Tourism contributes an estimated £60 billion to our economy every year, so a strong summer season is not only great news for the sector but the whole country.”
Patricia Yates, director at VisitEngland, added that with the weakened pound, staycations are giving people the “reassurance and certainty” of budgeting for their domestic trip.
The survey results follow a record-breaking first quarter for domestic holiday trips. From January to April, Britons took 11 million domestic trips, 8% more compared with the same period last year, and spent £2.8bn – an increase of 22% on last year.
