4.8 million Britons plan a UK trip this August Bank Holiday as Trend to holiday at home continues

VisitEngland’s Bank Holiday Trip Tracker Survey reveals that 4.8 million Britons (9% of the adult population) are planning an overnight holiday trip in the UK this August Bank Holiday weekend, with 4.5 million planning a holiday in England. This is likely to generate some £1.2 billion for the UK economy, £1.1 billion of which will be spent in England.

Key figures include:

• 15% of British adults (7.6 million) ‘definitely’ plan to take an overnight trip over the August bank holiday weekend, and 16% are undecided
• 54% are planning a holiday or short break, and 42% plan to visit friends and relatives.
• 9% will ‘definitely’ take a holiday or short break in England, (rising to 14% when those considering a trip are included)
• 7.6 million are planning a day trip, with a further 14.8 million still deciding
• 15% of Britons stated they will ‘definitely’ take a day trip over the August bank holiday weekend, and a further 29% ‘might or might not’
• So far this year, 25 million Britons have taken a holiday or short break in England.

A further 8.2 million Britons are still undecided about whether to take an overnight trip over the Bank Holiday Weekend (to any destination). Fewer Britons are undecided due to financial reasons this year (with 26% compared to 29% in 2014); 21% are either not sure where they want to go or waiting to see if there are any last minute deals or special offers to take advantage of. A quarter (25%), just prefer to decide at the last minute and some are ‘Waiting to see what the weather is like’.

In addition 7.6 million are planning a day trip in the UK over the Bank Holiday Weekend, with the seaside voted the most popular destination (almost half 45% planning a trip there), followed by a trip to the countryside / village destination (37%), a trip to a large town or city (28%) or standalone attraction such as a theme park or stately home (18%).

VisitEngland, Chief Executive James Berresford, 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.”

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The bank holiday is a brilliant opportunity for people to go out and explore England's world class attractions. We have a vibrant visitor economy that saw a record start to the year. I'm looking forward to working with the industry to build on this success with the government's new five point plan for tourism, which aims to further increase visitor numbers, create great careers and support local economies."