Travel plunges as Britons cancel six million trips

Holiday cottage companies are thriving in the UK this year, as Britons abandon trips abroad and look to return to the seaside this summer.

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics today show that six million fewer trips were taken in the year to May, 2009, compared with the previous year. In the 12-month period to May, the number of trips plunged by eight per cent, from 70.6 to 64.6 million.

The biggest proportional fall was to continental Europe, a trend confirmed by Spain, which has seen a 20 per cent fall in the number of British visitors in the first six months of the year.

The ONS also reported today that visits abroad fell in 2008 for the first time since 2001. A total of 69m visits were made - a figure likely to plunge by 10 per cent or more this year.

Meanwhile, four new surveys out today confirmed a stay-at-home trend, with a consequent rise in holiday home and cottage bookings. Camping holidays are also hugely on the rise.

A survey of 2,000 people by travelsupermarket shows that half those quizzed said they are most likely to book a break in Britain in the next 12 months, while according to Post Office Insurance, 11 per cent of people aged over 65 are holidaying in the UK instead of going abroad.

A quarter of enquiries for holiday cottages are for the southwest, followed by the southeast, Scotland and Wales according to classified site VivaStreet.co.uk.

And bookings for the Isle by Wight are up by 40 per cent, with old fashioned beach resorts like Sandown and Ventnor back in vogue, according to lettings agency Home from Home Holidays, part of Countrywide.

The number of properties available for hire in Britain this year has risen due to the property market. Those unable or unwilling to sell their second homes - often in the southwest - are renting them out.

Home from Home Holidays has seen a 30 per cent uptake in the number of people registering their properties as short term lets - the majority are investment properties or second homes, said spokesman Leon Betchley. “We have seen a phenomenal interest in UK holiday homes over the last twelve months as more holiday makers opt to stay in the country than venture abroad. The quality of holiday homes on offer is also very high.”

CV Travel began renting out UK holiday homes for the first time this year - and recently added two more including apartments on the Penwith peninsula in Cornwall.

BAG A LAST MINUTE BRITISH BARGAIN

NORFOLK

Save £100 for the week beginning Jul 18 at No 2 Spring Villas in the seaside village of Cley. A traditional cottage situated in the centre of the village and within walking distance of the local amenities. Sleeping 4, now £360 through Norfolk Cottages.

KENT

Save £80 for the week beginning Aug 1 at Lighthouse Cottage, Deal. Character accommodation in a Grade II listed buidling just yards from the sea. Sleeping 6, available for £664 through Freedom Holiday Homes.

CORNWALL

An apartment in St Mawes on the top floor of a renovated Victorian house with views over the harbour from two long windows and French doors that open to a railed balcony, Save £114 on weeks commencing July 17 and 31 - £650pw (was £764). Through Cornish Traditional Cottages.

DEVON

Comyn Lodge is in the grounds of a farm, adjacent to Chambercombe Manor, a semi detached restored barn close to Croyde and Woolacombe - now from £1,233 a week, sleeps eight through Belvilla

Windchimes is a four-bedroom marine residence in Salcombe, close to the quays, restaurants and ferries to beaches. Save £800 on the week from Jul 17, now £995. Or save £450 the week of Jul 31, now £1,435 through Coast & Country Cottages

DORSET

Primrose Cottage is a stone Grade II listed cottage near Corfe Castle with across the garden to the Purbeck Hills beyond. The cottage sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms and is available from July 17 for 7 nights for £1,030 through Dorset Coastal Cottages