The latest wave of volcanic flight disruption affecting UK airports will convince many more consumers to holiday in the UK this year, say experts.
With Heathrow and Gatwick airports running only a limited service due to a second ash cloud from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland and disruption elsewhere, holidaymakers are now thinking twice about booking a trip aboard.
A survey by OnePoll of 2,000 consumers, conducted before this weekend’s ash cloud disruption, for Confused.com found that half of travellers were considering a domestic holiday this year to avoid getting stranded abroad.
Separate research from VisitEngland suggests that last year’s ‘Staycation’ boom, driven by the cost of going abroard and job uncertainty rather than erupting volcanoes, will continue in 2010.
Domestic tourism boost
England enjoyed an 18 per cent increase in the number of holiday trips taken last year with holiday makers spending £1bn more than in the previous year.
VisitEngland’s research suggests 90 per cent of ‘Staycationers’ now plan to take at least one holiday in the country this year, with flight disruption and the threatened British Airways strikes only likely to strengthen this commitment.
Last month experts predicted the continuing uncertainty associated with the volcano presented an opportunity for UK hoteliers and B&B owners to grab more domestic trade this summer.
Business travel affected
Puneet Kanuga, managing consultant at TRI Hospitality Consulting, agreed that the situation could lead to a boost in leisure demand at UK hotels, but warned of the affect continuing disruption would have on business travel.
“In terms of the corporate market, London hotels saw an initial jump in bookings when the ash cloud caused disruption last month, with stranded travellers extending their stays followed by a drop-off in business as trips were cancelled,” he told BigHospitality.
“I expect our soon to be published April hotels data will show a similar drop off in mid-week stays from corporate guests at key cities throughout the UK, such as Birmingham and Manchester.”