Cost and chaos: what’s driving Britons to holiday at home
Chaotic scenes at airports have become routine during school holidays due to staff shortages and pent-up demand after the pandemic.
While some have plans to go abroad this summer, many are staying within the UK, continuing a trend that has seen holidaymakers flock to destinations in Cornwall, North Wales and Cumbria, among others.
Four people share their plans for a holiday in the UK, looking at how rising costs are hitting domestic getaways as well as trips abroad.
After an “absolutely brilliant” family holiday in Devon last August, London-based bookseller Ian Torrens booked the same cottage again this year – only to find the price had shot up by 60% for the same week in August. “I didn’t really notice the price because I was only paying a £25 deposit at that point. It was only after I booked, that the price sunk in. I did it without much thought, as I presumed it would be similar to last year,” Torrens, 57, says, explaining that he initially thought it must be a mistake, and emailed the company to confirm.
Although they used to enjoy driving across the Channel to France, Torrens hasn’t been on a family trip abroad since the pandemic. His 22-year-old son is classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, and they decided to “not take any risk” with a journey overseas. Watching the news of travel chaos in recent weeks, Torrens reckons the decision to stay local was the correct one: “Now you’re hearing all the nightmares of planes and ferries – it just seemed a good idea just to stay in the UK. It’ll be a good holiday – just a bit expensive.”
Whereas before the pandemic self-employed gardener Lee Sugden, 50, used to travel to destinations including India and Thailand, this summer he’ll be staying closer to home. “Holidays and
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