The figures show an increase on last year’s results when 5.1 million adults in Britain planned to take an overnight holiday trip in the UK during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Tourism Minister John Glen said:
“Tourism is a key economic driver and job creator and we want every part of the UK to benefit. It is fantastic that so many people are planning a holiday at home this weekend, generating a £1.7 billion boost to the economy. We will continue to work closely with the industry to build on this success, and encourage even more people to visit and enjoy the world-class attractions Britain has to offer.”
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said:
“Record number of Brits have been taking holidays at home and it is great to see so many of us are planning a trip this long weekend, getting out and exploring the outstanding destinations and quality attractions right here on our doorstep whether on a seaside, countryside or a city-break. The certainty of budgeting for a holiday at home, the ease and convenience, are all contributing to people choosing to take more domestic trips, boosting economic growth and spreading the benefits of tourism across Britain.”
This year’s VisitEngland Trip Tracker survey also found that 8.9 million Brits (17%) are undecided about whether to take an overnight holiday trip during the August Bank Holiday.
The latest official statistics show that it has been a record-breaking first four months of the year for domestic holidays in Britain. From January to April this year Brits took a record 14.4 million domestic holidays, up 3% on the same period last year.
Brits are taking about four million more short- breaks in England than they did a decade ago.
Tourism is worth £127 billion to the UK economy.
The full VisitEngland Trip Tracker survey results can be found here: bank holiday trip tracker(link is external).
ENDS
Notes to editors
About VisitEngland’s August Bank Holiday Trip Tracker Survey
- The 6.9 million represents 14% of British adults who said that they would definitely take a UK holiday during the August Bank Holiday weekend. The 5.1 million represents 10% of British adults who said that they would definitely take a UK holiday during the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2016.
- VisitEngland commissions online omnibus surveys periodically in order to collect data on the number of GB consumers who plan to take an overnight trip at key times throughout the year.
- In this August edition, the survey was carried out on an online omnibus by Kantar TNS, with a representative sample of 1243 adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain.
- The fieldwork for the survey took place between 17-21 August 2017
- Trip volumes are based on an adult (16+) population of 51m in GB (Office for National Statistics).
- For the full report visit our bank holiday trip tracker page.(link is external)
What’s on this August bank holiday in England
Unleash your beast at the world’s largest inflatable obstacle course, London
25 – 28 August
Strictly for children aged 16 or over – release your inner child as you run, bounce and dance your way around this 272m long extreme bouncy castle. Hosted by Alexandra Palace, you can recover after your experience with a host of the most mouth-watering street food, cocktails, craft beers and Prosecco on tap, as live DJs pump up the party. Tickets costs £20 (plus a £2 booking fee) and includes one full circuit on The Beast. The food, drink and party areas will be open throughout.
www.thebeastlondon.com(link is external)
Get messy at the World Gravy Wrestling Championships, Lancashire
28 August
Placed in the top ten of the weirdest ‘sports’ and pastimes in 2010, the World Gravy Wrestling Championships in Rossendale is one of the world’s quirkiest competitions. Fearless contestants line up to battle it out in a pool full of Lancashire gravy to become Gravy Wrestling Champion. If the aroma is irresistible, head to a nearby pub for some gravy served up the traditional way. Entry prices are £2.50 per adult and £1.50 per child.
www.worldgravywrestling.com(link is external)
Feed your imagination at Carlisle Fringe Festival, Cumbria
18 – 28 August
This vibrant extravaganza of outdoor performance, cabaret, comedy and street theatre will return this year as a major international festival, combining the Carlisle Pageant, a Best of Carlisle market, an ancient Proclamation and a bustling international market. The Cumbrian city’s streets will be action-packed with a colourful street theatre programme set to run alongside the festival as well as a 1950’s-style street party celebration, which will see laden tables being spread throughout the city centre on Carlisle Pageant Day. Most shows are £8.50, others range from free to £14.50.
www.carlislefringe.co.uk(link is external)
Let the music move you at Trunchonbury Festival, Norfolk
25 – 27 August
Take a trip to North Norfolk for a small, yet perfectly formed, festival experience. With acts such as Dub Pistols and Dodgy bringing the nostalgia and The Correspondents and Electric Swing Circus bringing the energy, you’ll be breathless in no time, at which point you can enjoy a host of acoustic performers to help you chill out. Even better, all the money raised goes towards local projects and charity fundraising, so you can party with that fuzzy warm feeling of doing something worthwhile. Priced at £60 + £4.31 booking fee for a weekend adult ticket. www.trunchonburyfestival.com/home(link is external)
Be #CarnivalHappy at Leeds West Indian Carnival’s 50th anniversary, Leeds
20 – 28 August
The 2016 instalment of Europe’s longest running authentic Caribbean Carnival was the biggest yet, and it’s set to be outdone in 2017 – the carnival’s 50th anniversary. Five stunning new carnival costume headpieces will be commissioned for the occasion, and go on tour so everyone can try them on. The headpieces will be themed to represent the key stages of the journey of the carnival from the Caribbean to Leeds. Regularly attracting crowds of over 100,000, Leeds West Indian Carnival is one of the North’s biggest annual events, combining soca music, phenomenal steel pans, arts, crafts and cuisines of the Caribbean in an explosion of colour, costumes and addictive rhythms. A variety of events lead up to the carnival on August bank holiday Monday. Most events are free, others range from £2-£10.
www.leedscarnival.co.uk(link is external)
Rave at a world-famous electronic festival at Creamfields, Liverpool
24 – 27 August
Creamfields is the leader of the pack when it comes to electronic festival revelry. Boasting award-winning events around the world, including Malta, Rio de Janeiro and Australia, its roots have been here in England since 1998. Specialising in DJs and live dance-music acts, Creamfields is also known to offer crowd-interactive FX towers, impressive light visuals, explosive pyros, and a spectacular firework finale to go out with a bang. They even have two main stages to host the plethora of acts playing event. Headliners for Creamfields 2017 include Deadmau5, Annie Mac and Andy C. A standard 4 day camping ticket costs £250.
www.creamfields.com(link is external)
Prepare to be snap-happy at the International Scooter Rally, Isle of Wight
25 – 28 August
Dig out your winkle pickers, two-tone suits, parkers and miniskirts and head to Union Street for an explosion of colour as around 5,000 Vespa and Lambretta’s congregate for one of the largest scooter rallies in the world. Featuring both modern and vintage scooters, you’ll be spoilt for choice for photo opportunities. If you can make a weekend of it, don’t miss the ride-out towards Sandown on Sunday afternoon. This event is free to watch.
www.visitisleofwight.co.uk (link is external)
SOURCE: VisitBritain
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For more information please contact Tracey Edginton
E: tracey.edginton@visitbritain.org
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