The Pros and Cons of a UK 'Staycation' this Summer
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by: David John Martin
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The word, ‘staycation', has been spoken of so much in 2009 that it has seemingly left the confines of inner-travel-industry circles and media offices and has become an acute and meaningful term in its own right. Yet, as the school holidays begin in earnest and many of us reconsider our summer plans, what are the real pros and cons of a UK ‘staycation'?
The British weather is most likely to be the biggest turnoff of a prospective holiday in the UK this summer. As the Met Office revises its summer forecast and officially highlights that rainfall may be near or above average for August, it has also reminded complainers that despite the rainfall, July has seen warmer-than-average temperatures - and ‘there is still the possibility of some spells of fine weather at times through the month.'
However, one of the side effects of this increasing reservation is that our destinations will be quieter than expected. Not only are many families booking last minute flights abroad, but those from other countries will now be less likely to take the risk and book flights here. Additionally, the risk of Swine Flu is also putting certain nations, such as Russia, off travel to the UK, as reported in The Times.
Unsurprisingly, cost seems to be the most important factor to affect where we go on holiday. A recent report by travel insurance specialists, Post Office®, has found that by comparison, fuel and car hire costs are far cheaper in many other countries than they are here. The UK is the only country included in the research where diesel costs more than petrol, while Austria and Spain proved the best value for fuel economy.
Yet, while holidaymakers may be spending more on petrol and diesel here, they will likely be saving on other travel costs. However, further research from Post Office® has also compared the average costs of so called ‘holiday must haves'.
They reviewed the prices of six basic items: a large beach towel, children's jelly shoes, bucket and spade, a lilo, ice-cream and an hour-long pedalo/kayak ride, to see which holiday destination proved best value for money for ‘holiday must haves'. The UK (Brighton to be precise) came out at around the middle of the table, with an average total price for all six items reaching £36.17. In comparison, the best value destination for must have items was Malaysia at £11.60, with Croatia the second cheapest at £19.41.
The report offers a good indication of the UK's prices compared to hotter destinations out of the Eurozone, yet in contrast to the big European destinations such as France and Spain, ‘staycationers' are set to get a better deal. Greece was the most expensive at £56.50, whilst France came in a close second most expensive at £51.97.
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