A new study has revealed that over half of Brits are more likely to holiday in the UK rather than travel abroad in 2022. Commissioned by 5* hotel, BLVD in Blackpool, 52% of those surveyed were in favour of booking a domestic trip amidst the ongoing international travel chaos and post-pandemic staycation boom.
Polling 2,000 Brits, research carried out by OnePoll on behalf of the hotel, saw almost half of respondents (40%) citing a beach as the most important factor when choosing a destination, with a further 50% stating that local attractions play a big part in their decision-making.
The research was commissioned by BLVD, a boutique hotel based in Blackpool, which opened in 2019 just a few short months before the first Covid-19 lockdown. With the aim of providing a more luxurious experience in the seaside destination, BLVD is the latest offering from fourth-generation family-run Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which runs both the famous theme park and The Big Blue Hotel.
Commenting on the findings, Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO, said:
“With the ongoing issues around international flights and staffing shortages causing travel chaos for holiday-makers, it’s no surprise that so many people are choosing to stay within the UK to avoid the uncertainty of travelling further afield. This research from OnePoll shows that 2022 is the start of a true renaissance for the nation’s staycations; not just as we’ve seen during the previous lockdowns, but with people actively choosing to discover areas closer to home.
We’re a destination that has long been associated with nostalgic family holidays, but we have a big opportunity to really help people discover the often-untapped beauty of the North West. For all of our guests, from those who are re-visiting to first timers, we’re so proud to be able to offer them a luxury experience here in Blackpool.”
The OnePoll research also revealed that proximity to other locations, such as the countryside, was crucial to 47% of respondents. Blackpool is one of the UK’s best-loved seaside towns, with direct links to neighbouring regions such as the Lake District and the Forest of Bowland, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just a short 45-minute drive away.
The results also showed the importance of luxury accommodation as part of staycation planning, with 42% of people opting for higher standards of accommodation as their main motivation when booking a holiday. A further 57% of respondents also said that they’d be more inclined to consider a destination like Blackpool if impressive hotels and memorable dining experiences were nearby.
Located on the promenade, BLVD is already making a name for itself as a must-visit North West Hotel, recently being named in the top 10% of all hotels worldwide in the 2021 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards. The award-winning location boasts 120 stylish rooms, including eight junior suites, two park view suites, eight coastal suites and family rooms with a mixture of coastal and park-facing rooms.
