New research by TransPennine Express (TPE) has shown that with 66% of Brits struggling to afford a foreign holiday, many have opted to choose a UK getaway.
Increased costs were cited by 25% of those who decided to stay in the UK, 35% said flights to popular destinations had become too expensive, and 20% said it was the first time they had struggled to afford a holiday abroad.
Over two-thirds (69%) have decided to take a UK holiday this summer and another 16% are considering taking one, with the research showing that the top UK holiday destination is the Lake District, with 38% of Brits heading there next month, followed by York and Edinburgh with 19% apiece.
The rise of people choosing the UK for their holidays this year is mainly down to the rising costs of foreign excursions according to the research, with the prices for hotels, airfares, and tour operator holidays rising by 10 per cent each year on average.
Although cost is a major factor, it is not the only reason for Brits are staying in the UK this year, recent mass flight cancellations have led to people being stranded at airports both in the UK and overseas.
TransPennine Express found over half (52%) of people surveyed said their confidence in the railway was improving.
The top ten UK holiday destinations for TPE passengers according to the survey were:
- Lake District – 37.79%.
- York – 19.19%.
- Edinburgh – 19.06%.
- Scarborough – 14.02%.
- Manchester – 10.14%.
- Liverpool – 8.40%.
- Newcastle – 7.36%.
- Berwick-upon-Tweed – 6.52%.
- Durham – 5.68%.
- Cleethorpes – 4.07%.
To make travel by train more affordable, TransPennine Express has a number of special offers, including fantastic prices to some of the top ten destinations, such as Manchester to Oxenholme in the Lake District for £10.20, Manchester to York for £14.30, and Manchester to Edinburgh for £23.40.
“We’ve all felt the pinch this year and the rising costs of flights abroad has meant that some Brits can’t go on a foreign holiday.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TPE
“It means we will see the return of the much-loved UK holiday and with so many hidden gems across the UK, all accessible by train, we can’t wait to be the ones carrying thousands of Brits to their summer holiday destinations on our modern, clean and comfortable trains.
Responses
Given my season ticket costs just under £6k just to get to work I’m not surprised that people can’t afford an overseas holiday, sadly holidaying in the UK is also far from cheap, hotels and catering in the UK is often more expensive than in much of Europe and at £12.50 a day to park at the station that makes a big difference to the cost of even a long weekend away.
Without explaining how they got ther sample and how many interviews took place i would treat this one with a heathy scepticism.
It has been known for a long time ( since COVID ) that the best source of future train income would be from the leisure travel market. The main problem and impediment for most people has been the train strikes causing short term cancellations and reduced timetables. Scotland is the current example of how bad things can become.Places like the Highlands and West Highlands are delightful places to visit, have not that frequent trains but have become impossible because of the rail strikes.
In the North of England the ASLEF overtime ban on Northern Rail makes things difficult, sometimes impossible, especially at weekends.
Until the strikes are sorted, it is very difficult for people attempting holidays, again, if you work and are tied to weekends.
The standard and availability of catering is abysmal too.
It is time things were improved, otherwise summer will have disappeared and it will be too late for many families.