UK hols down,but spending up

HOLIDAYMAKERS are taking fewer trips in the UK and Ireland but are spending more when they do go away for a break, according to research by Euromonitor International.

The number of domestic trips dropped by one percent to 132 million holidays in 2013 compared to 2012, but holiday spending went up by two percent. Two thirds of domestic trips taken last for fewer than three days, suggesting many are one or two nights in length.

VisitEngland’s strategy and development director Louise Stewart says the UK’s tourism  industry will face a harder challenge now that spending is on the rise, with the temptation for holidaymakers to head overseas again. But she adds that trend for holidaying at home had revived the British tourists’ love for their country.

‘The trend to holiday near home will naturally tail off and holidaymakers will go to the sun but England is still in their repertoire. People have changed how they holiday and England is still among the choice of breaks,’ she said.

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