Pre-Covid a ‘staycation’ tended to be referred to as a holiday that was taken in one’s own home rather than travelling and staying somewhere that was at a distance to your home, even if it was still in the same country.

The decimation of the travel industry

However, with the decimation of the travel industry during the pandemic, a staycation became less about staying at home (where we had all been for several months at a time anyway), and more about staying within your own country’s borders.

International air travel was so restricted with individual country rules and regulations that changed from one week to another that travelling was an unpredictable and uncomfortable pastime, that more often than not proved to be extremely expensive as well.

The rise of the staycation

Choosing to stay in your own country and seek out different holiday options became viable alternatives to a fortnight in the sun. As a result, millions of people fell in love again with their home countries, preferring to put their money back into the home economy and spend locally, rather than taking it overseas.

A noticeable downside is that booking accommodation in potential holiday destinations became difficult. Whether you were looking for a park home on an Allens Caravans site, booking a five star hotel, or trying to find a suitable Airbnb, there was minimal availability, and the prices rose significantly as a result.

2021 UK figures in comparison to pre Covid levels showed strong growth compared with pre-Covid levels. In 2020, domestic tourism dropped by nearly 63 per cent, but there was a complete rebound in 2021, balancing out and regaining some ground in 2022.

Redefining the landscape of the tourism industry

Now that we are entering 2023, there are different challenges facing the tourism industry. While covid has taken a back seat in terms of travel restrictions, 2023 will see a more budget savvy traveller who is looking for value for money in the light of an economic crisis that is sweeping across the globe. While the hunger for travelling and holidaying remains high, the pandemic has given millions a chance to reassess and re-prioritize what is important to them with regards to a holiday, and those working in the tourism industry are having to pivot and accommodate these changing perceptions if they are going to survive.

In the UK, with national government initiatives and more local regeneration schemes taking place throughout the country, the ‘staycation’ message is one that will be played alongside the push for more international travel.

Interestingly UK holiday providers need to be more aware of their pricing and the cost comparisons with some overseas resorts. Although it may seem logical that a UK based staycation is cheaper than going overseas - at the very least you are not paying for flights. However, the reality is that for many the cost of a two week all inclusive in a resort in Spain or Turkey (flights included) is actually cheaper than a week in a comparative holiday resort in the UK.

Keeping prices realistic

And with interest rates and inflation in many popular overseas destinations sky rocketing, the demand for international currency is making many of these holidays look even better value to the weary Brit, who quite frankly wants a week or two somewhere warm and comfortable where they can escape from the bleak outlook that is the UK at the moment.

There are millions of Brits who are more than happy to spend their hard earned holidays and money in the UK, on local UK tourist businesses. But there has to be a meeting of the minds - and that is where the hard work is going to be in the coming weeks and months.