Survey also shows that going out for a meal and visiting
a Christmas market are most popular festive activities.
VisitEngland's Christmas Trip Tracker Survey published today, 18
December, shows that 8.8 million Brits are planning an overnight
holiday trip in the UK during the Christmas and New Year period,
bringing an estimated £2.5 billion boost to the economy.
The figures are on par with last year's, 2023, results. In 2022,
5.8 million Brits planned to take an overnight holiday trip in
the UK during the festive season.
Among those definitely planning an overnight holiday trip in
England, 50% are planning on taking two or more trips during the
festive period. The survey also shows that 6% of Brits have yet
to decide if they will take an overnight trip in England during
the festive season. The top reasons are ‘waiting to see what the
weather is like' followed by ‘still trying to find somewhere
available to stay' and ‘waiting to see if there are any special
deals/offers.'
VisitEngland CEO Patricia Yates said:
“It is encouraging to see so many of us are planning a short
break with friends and family during the festive season, boosting
the economy through tourism. From festive light trails and
buzzing Christmas markets to walks in the countryside with a cosy
pub lunch, destinations are offering year-round experiences and
attractions catering for everyone and tempting Brits to explore
beyond their doorstep.
“We also know from destinations across England that 2024 has
been a very mixed picture for many areas, with the weather also
having an impact. Our latest consumer sentiment research shows
that many people are booking last minute breaks, wanting to save
on accommodation, activities and seeking good value options,
making it more difficult for businesses to plan in advance. So
please do go out and explore the amazing destinations and
attractions here on our doorstep this festive season, tourism
businesses will be very pleased to see you and I am sure you will
have a fantastic time.”
Popular seasonal activities Brits plan to do this year, after
visiting friends and family, include going out for a meal (42%),
visiting a Christmas market (38%) and shopping at the
post-Christmas sales (35%). One-in-five (20%) will participate in
outdoor activities such as walking or cycling.
Of those surveyed, younger people are more likely to spend money
at seasonal shopping events, with 42% of 16-to-24-year-olds
planning to shop at post-Christmas sales and 40% have
planned to visit a Christmas market.
For those not planning an overnight holiday trip in England, the
top reason is ‘I cannot afford it.' The findings reflect the
latest monthly wave of VisitEngland's wider domestic consumer
sentiment towards travel research, published on 21 November,
which showed that the top perceived barriers to taking overnight
holiday trips in the next six months were the ‘rising cost of
living' followed by ‘UK weather' and ‘personal finances.'
The full VisitEngland Christmas Trip Tracker survey can be
accessed here: https://www.visitbritain.org/bank-holiday-trip-tracker
For ideas on what's on this festive season across England from
light trails and ice-skating to Christmas concerts and markets
please visit: https://www.visitengland.com/8-festive-places-christmas-break
Tourism is one of England's largest, most valuable industries,
supporting more than 200,000 businesses, employing about 2.6
million people and, in 2023, generating £70.5 billion in domestic
visitor spending.
Notes to editors:
About VisitEngland's Christmas Holiday Trip Tracker
Survey:
-
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 December 2024 edition, the survey was carried out on
an online omnibus by Kantar TNS, with a representative sample
of 1,251 adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain.
-
The fieldwork for the survey took place between
10th and 12th December 2024 and asked
specifically about the festive break from 23rd December 2024
to 3rd January 2025.
-
Trip volumes are based on an estimated adult (16+) population
of 55.2m in GB for 2024 (Office for National Statistics).
-
Economic impact is based on the average domestic overnight
holiday spend of £286 per trip (GBTS, 2019 adjusted for
inflation).
-
For the full report, visit our domestic holiday Trip
Tracker research here: Domestic Tourism Bank
Holiday Trips Data | VisitBritain.org
-
VisitEngland's latest domestic consumer sentiment research
towards travel, published on 21 November can be accessed here
(scroll down once on the page to the latest PDF marked 21
November) https://www.visitbritain.org/domestic-sentiment-tracker
