Half of holidaymakers have changed their travel plans due to rising costs and global uncertainty. A poll of 2,000 holidaymakers found 22% are arranging their holidays more last minute, while 32% would rather stay somewhere closer to the UK.
More than half (54%) have already booked a staycation; more travellers will be heading to the South West of England this summer than making the traditional jaunt to Spain. Almost seven in 10 (67%) are eager to avoid the strain of busy airports while 16% have delayed their getaway due to ongoing issues worldwide.
Ryan Johnson, senior vice president at Enterprise Mobility in the UK and Ireland, which commissioned the research, said: “This summer’s travel trends paint a clear picture of how UK holidaymakers are approaching their summer holidays, with domestic travel, and road trips in particular, firmly at the forefront.
“Cost, convenience and a desire for more flexibility are all shaping those decisions in meaningful ways.”
For ‘stay-trippers’ –people swapping overseas holidays for road trips and short breaks across the UK–cost was a key factor. More than a third (37%) would choose a domestic road trip over travelling overseas due to price.
According to the OnePoll.com data, a third (35%) also believe staying closer to home makes planning easier, while another 33% said they have the option to be more flexible with their plans.
For those staying in the UK and planning a road trip, the Scottish Highlands (42%), Lake District (40%) and Cornwall (37%) ranked as the most sought-after stops.
When it comes to driving specifically, reliability was the top priority when selecting a car up to the task (46%), ahead of comfort and passenger space (39%) and fuel efficiency (33%).
Traffic, meanwhile, was the most cited concern for those taking to the road this summer (54%).
Ryan Johnson from Enterprise Mobility added: “We see the results reflected in the way our customers choose their travel.
“Having the right vehicle in the right place at the right time is fundamental, and customers need a vehicle that is reliable, comfortable and well suited to the journey ahead, qualities that are essential to creating a great road trip experience.”
