4.8 million Britons planning a UK trip this bank holiday

Some 4.8 million Britons are planning an overnight trip in the UK this bank holiday weekend, according to VisitEngland’s Bank Holiday Trip Tracker survey.

Of those, the study found that 4.5 million are planning a holiday in England. VisitEngland said that these trips are likely to generate some £1.2bn for the UK economy, £1.1bn of which will be spent in England.

The study found that 15% of British adults (7.6 million) ‘definitely’ plan to take an overnight trip over the August bank holiday weekend, while 16% are ‘undecided’.

Some 54% are planning a holiday or short break and 42% are planning on visiting friends and relatives. Around 9% reported that they will ‘definitely’ take a holiday or short break in England, which rises to 14% when those considering a trip are including.

In addition, 7.6 million are a planning a day trip in the UK over the weekend. The seaside was voted the most popular destination, with almost half (45%) planning a trip there, followed by the countryside (37%), a large town or city (28%) or a standalone attraction (18%).

Meanwhile, a further 8.2 million Britons are still undecided about whether to take an overnight trip of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Fewer Britons are undecided due to financial reasons this year (26% compared with 29% in 2014), 21% are either not sure where they want to go or waiting to see if there are any last minute deals, while a quarter (25%) prefer to decide at the last minute, with some ‘waiting to see what the weather is like’.

James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, said: “With 4.5 million Brits planning a holiday trip in England this bank holiday weekend, it signifies a real statement of confidence in the breadth of product on offer across the country.

“From world class indoor and outdoor attractions, a host of events and festivals or coastal and rural destinations to explore; there is still time to plan a last minute short break or day trip in England, whatever the weather.”