{"id":11491,"date":"2021-12-17T13:47:44","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T13:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/?p=11491"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:47:44","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T13:47:44","slug":"uk-holidays-are-here-to-stay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leisuredays.co.uk\/news\/uk-holidays-are-here-to-stay-11491\/","title":{"rendered":"UK holidays are here to stay!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The current spike in “staycations” is here to stay, according to static caravan and holiday lodge manufacturer Willerby.<\/p>\n

\"staycation<\/p>\n

The Great British staycation is experiencing unprecedented popularity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many people, including new types of holiday caravan owners, embracing the lifestyle and wellbeing benefits of holidaying in the UK.<\/p>\n

This summer Willerby <\/a>opened a fifth production line at its Hull site and has taken on more than 200 extra staff, in response to increasing demand for static caravans, lodges and park homes, with its order book now full until well into 2023!<\/p>\n

\"Willerby<\/p>\n

Willerby also surveyed 584 of its Owners Club members, of which 118 bought their first holiday home after the first UK lockdown in March 2020.<\/p>\n

The survey highlighted a definite shift towards younger consumers, with those aged under 50 doubling from nine percent pre-COVID to 18 percent.<\/p>\n

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Newer owners also said they intended to use their holiday homes more often, with 96 percent planning to visit at least once a month, compared to 91 percent of more historical consumers.<\/p>\n

A total of 43 percent of newer owners said they were enjoying long weekends in their holiday homes, compared to 30 percent of those who bought before March 2020. Fourteen percent of more recent buyers are also using their holiday homes for two or three-day midweek getaways, compared to 8 percent who bought their holiday homes before the pandemic struck.<\/p>\n

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GP and television personality Dr Hilary Jones said he was not surprised by the findings.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pandemic has changed our lives in many ways and people now realise the numerous advantages of staying on our own shores,”<\/em> said Dr Jones. “They are very happy to have a staycation because it\u2019s more convenient and less stressful.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHoliday homes give people greater freedom and versatility to regularly get away from day-to-day life when it suits them, rather than have the pressure and expectation that often comes with planning a longer foreign holiday. I would certainly recommend staycations for positive mental health. The staycation is a great way to relax and unwind, away from life\u2019s pressures, and I\u2019m not at all surprised that all the indications point towards its continued popularity as people embrace this highly attractive lifestyle.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Peter Munk, Chief Executive of Willerby, said: \u201cThere\u2019s no doubt about it \u2013 the staycation is definitely here to stay.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019ve taken on a record number of staff and opened a new production line with great confidence, as all the evidence tells us this is much more than just a short-term reaction to the restrictions imposed on people due to the pandemic. More and more people have had their eyes opened to the health and wellbeing, social and community benefits of owning their own holiday home. They\u2019ve experienced it, loved it and now they want more \u2013 and long may that continue.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

UK holiday specialist Hoseasons<\/a> supports Willerby\u2019s view that the staycation is here to stay after carrying out extensive customer research. In two separate surveys with a combined total of more than 3,000 respondents, Hoseasons found:<\/p>\n