According to On the Beach’s analysis, a family of four will have paid £2,713 on average for a staycation at the most popular UK destinations during October half-term. In contrast an all-inclusive holiday to Turkey, Greece, Spain or Portugal, would have cost £1,688 – £1,025 less.
The operator said the money saved would cover the average household energy bill for almost five months.
On the Beach said the appeal of a staycation was dampened by a 27% rise in fuel prices and frequent train strikes. It also found 36% said weather during their UK break was a disappointment, with 52% alarmed at the overall cost and 36% saying that their staycation didn’t “feel like a proper holiday”.
Cost was the most important factor when choosing a holiday, with 76% mentioning it. This was followed by good weather (70%), cuisine (45%), sightseeing opportunities (44%), activities (36%) and the chance to experience different cultures (33%).
Zoe Harris, On the Beach chief customer officer, said: “The fact that three in four people rate cost as their top holiday priority is hardly surprising, with good weather, food and culture all rating highly too.
“It’s clear that the UK, despite all the great things it has to offer, just isn’t ticking all of the boxes and, worse, people are paying more to get less out of their breaks when they choose to holiday in Britain.
“The best way to plan the perfect trip is to set a budget, shop around for holidays that include the features that matter most to you, and be really careful to factor in any additional costs such as food, drink, entertainment and activities.”
