This declaration by the Famous Five’s tomboy George was one I happily put to the test every summer as a child, although I admittedly held back on the lashings of ginger beer.

Growing up in Cornwall, with its golden beaches and turquoise surf, I was entirely aware of what a great holiday destination the UK is. And, as the figures show, holidaying in the UK is becoming ever more popular for Brits.

Some 63% of us are expected to take a holiday in England this year compared with 57% who took one in 2016, statistics which are backed up by booking figures. The Global Travel Group reports domestic breaks were up 5% year-on-year in January and February and passenger numbers for UK coach breaks were up 14%.

Of course, the UK will never rival certain overseas destinations in some aspects, but as we show in this dedicated UK holidays issue, domestic breaks can prove a lucrative additional revenue stream for agents looking to suggest something different to their clients.

This week we feature tips on how to improve your knowledge and secure places on fams in the UK, and we reveal how the UK is bursting with anniversaries and new events for clients to discover. Top of these (in my opinion) is VisitEngland’s Year of Literary Heroes. 2017 commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen, the 20th anniversary of JK Rowling’s penning of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the 75th anniversary of my childhood heroes the Famous Five. I’ll raise a ginger beer to that!

The TTG Travel Awards is back!

A few ginger beers – or champagnes – will also be raised in September, when TTG Media returns to the Lyceum Theatre for the TTG Travel Awards, and this year we’ve three new categories! Registration for supplier categories is now open, before agent ratings take place in April.

Click here for more details on how to enter.