Which Way To The Beach? Brits Continue To Gain Confidence In Domestic Travel

New consumer research from VisitBritain/Visit England shows confidence in domestic travel is on the up. Culture Trip finds out more.

The latest domestic consumer research from VisitBritain/Visit England confirms that people are slowly starting to regain confidence in the idea of taking a domestic break.

A forecast for the summer months shows that outdoor areas and activities – including beaches, trails and theme parks – look set to attract higher-than-usual levels of visitors in traditional seaside towns and countryside destinations.

Travel to the English countryside is set to increase in 2020

“Our weekly research shows that 31 percent of people surveyed – representing 16.7 million UK adults – either intend to or have already taken an overnight domestic trip between July and September,” explains Tracey Edginton of VisitBritain – and between October and December, that percentage jumps to 38.

Indeed, Brits have long loved exploring their own country – between July and September 2019, a Great Britain Tourism survey found that we took 22 million domestic overnight holidays as a nation, a number which was forecast to rise by 2.9 percent in 2020, but which was stopped in its tracks by Covid-19, and instead decreased by 49 percent.

To support Britain’s domestic tourism, on 25 June VisitBritain/VisitEngland launched the We’re Good To Go industry standard, in partnership with the tourism organisations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to encourage people to book a break in the UK with confidence. More than 35,000 tourism businesses across the UK have registered for the scheme.

Brits are embracing their domestic beaches and seaside towns

“The industry has been working hard preparing to welcome visitors back safely, and we hope that people who perhaps haven’t holidayed at home before will try a domestic break, and some of us might explore somewhere new,” says VisitBritain/VisitEngland director Patricia Yates. “And with the certainty of budgeting for a holiday at home, along with the ease and convenience and the fantastic destinations and attractions within easy reach, Britain is a top holiday spot, whether for a mini-break or longer holiday.”

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.