Staycation is here to stay holiday at home brits say “same again”

Almost nine out of ten Britons who spent a holiday-at-home “staycation” last year would choose to do the same again – according to new research.The staycation became a popular choice for holidaymakers in 2009 thanks to the recession and the tumbling value of the pound against the Euro.


This year it’s the threat of a travel disruption from the volcanic ash cloud and airline strikes, which may be influencing vacation decisions.


According to a survey by the mystery shopping and business intelligence specialists, Retail Active, most Brits were quite happy with their UK holiday, despite the washout weather and wouldn’t hesitate to stay at home this year.


It says a third of those questioned have already booked a British holiday and another third hadn’t made their minds up yet about where to spend the summer.Only 26 per cent plan to go abroad.


Eighty five per cent of the 2000 people polled said they had taken their main holiday in the UK last year and 88 per cent said that, based on their experience – they would do so again.

Ninety six per cent said they would recommend a UK holiday to friends.


The main reasons for choosing a staycation are:


* Increasing cost of holidaying abroad - 32 per cent
* Effects of the recession - 20 per cent
* Fancied a change - 18 per cent
* Cost of the Euro - 17 per cent


Fifty per cent of staycationers rated their UK holiday as “excellent” value for money, 41 per cent said the value was “good” and incredibly only 2 per cent thought they’d had “poor” value.

Self catering cottages or apartments were the top choice – 31 per cent; Caravan holidays were also popular at 21 per cent, closely followed by hotels at 19 per cent. Ten per cent chose camping in a tent - but just over one per cent went for the traditional B and B. The West Country was the favourite staycation destination – with just over 14 per cent choosing Cornwall and seven per cent, plumping for Devon.


Other top spots were, the Isle of Wight, Pembrokeshire, Bournemouth, Llandudno, Newquay, Scarborough and North Norfolk.Whitley Bay, Tynemouth and Worthing were the least popular.


Retail Active’s managing director, Julian Chamberlain said: “From the results of our survey, it looks like the “Staycation” could be here to stay for the foreseeable future.

“Many Britons holidayed in this country for the first time last year and many people were worried that British destinations and hospitality may not come up to their expectations.

“In fact, we ran a survey which showed that British accomodation had not shaken off its 1970’s Basil Fawlty image.


“Our latest results show that people have been very pleasantly surprised by what they found in the UK.

“Thirty seven per cent of those polled said they had already booked a holiday here this year and about the same number hadn’t made their minds up yet – so British resorts could be in for a bumper year, especially if the forecast of good weather is correct.”

Hidden Charges Rip-Off Sparks a Consumer Revolt - New Survey

Eight out of ten people would not willingly go back to companies which hit them with hidden charges, according to a new survey.

And there’s a warning that hidden charges are sparking an angry consumer backlash, which could soon start to cost offending companies business.

Budget airlines were named as the worst culprits for ripping off customers with hidden charges – according to a survey by the mystery shopping company and business intelligence analysts, Retail Active.

A catalogue of complaints from customers includes a traveller being forced to buy a new full fare ticket after getting the names wrong on the booking form.

The survey, which polled 2000 people, says customers are fed up with being hit by an increasing number of hidden charges in a wide range of sectors including in the leisure, holiday, entertainment, travel and on-line retail sectors.

Customers are demanding action to force companies to come clean about their real costs.

Ryanair and Easyjet were named as the worst offenders for bumping up advertised budget rates with a string of hidden charges, which could add hundreds of pounds to a booking.

Many of those taking part in the survey said they had abandoned the process of making an on-line booking with budget airlines, as the ad-on charges piled up.

More than nine out of ten people said they resented paying hidden charges and the remainder said they only found it acceptable if extra services were involved.

The same number said they didn’t feel they were being advised about extra charges in time and that they were left until the last minute – when it was too inconvenient to abort the booking.

Top complaints against budget airlines were:-
• Adding charges for essentials like checking in, baggage allowances and paying on credit and debit cards when there was no other choice.
• Paying to guarantee passengers could sit together
• Exorbitant airport charges
• Paying “penalty” charges for administration for errors made while booking
• Exorbitant fuel, airport charges and transfer fees

Retail Active’s managing director, Julian Chamberlain said: “Our survey reveals growing consumer anger with companies advertising misleading prices and then sneaking in hidden charges as part of the purchasing process.

“For many people, one more charge has become the “last straw” and they’ve called off the deal. More than 86 per cent of those surveyed said they would not willingly return to a company which hit them with a hidden charge at the end of the booking.

“Many of those taking part demanded that retailers should be forced to be honest about the real costs.

“It is clear that consumer patience is running out over hidden charges and companies persist with this practice at their peril.

“Two budget airlines were named as the main culprits – but there are many other areas where customers feel exploited – including hotels, “all-inclusive” holidays, restaurants, concerts and on-line shopping.”

One respondent booked at a hotel advertising free meals and accommodation for children only to be told there was a £20 per child “supplement”.

Postal charges for goods ordered on-line was another problem area – with customers reporting a £25 delivery on an item costing only a few pounds and being charged two lots of postage for two items in the same parcel.

Julian Chamberlain said: “It is obvious from the response that hidden charges are becoming a major consumer issue and that companies which don’t fairly publicise their extra charges could soon start to feel a backlash from angry customers.”