Shearings Holidays believe that an increase of bookings in some UK regions by more than 95% may be partly be in response to the inspiration of recent TV programmes.
“Programmes such as John Sergeant on the Tourist Trail, Martin Clunes’ Islands of Britain and Alexander Armstrong’s Very British Holiday have reignited people’s love of Britain,” said Caroline Brown, commercial director for Shearings, the company which specialises in UK holidays for the mature customer.
“Screen locations are always popular with tourists and the trend for UK holiday programmes has encouraged people to have a closer look at holiday destinations in the UK.”
The surge in bookings has prompted Shearings to introduce 30 new UK tours for 2010, including a two-week Best of Britain tour incorporating the country’s top sights and locations.
Shearings’ latest figures show that its summer 2010 bookings for the Isle of Man are 96% ahead of summer 2009, while those for the Heart of England are up by 30%, East Anglia by 14% and the South Coast and Isle of Wight by 10%.
Meanwhile, figures released by VisitEngland from the UK Tourism Survey show the number of holiday trips taken by Britons within England between June and August 2009 rose by 22%, compared with the same period in 2008, with the amount spent up by 20%.
Shearings plans standalone hotel brand >>
Who’s Who – Shearings Holiday Hotels >>
Shearings to merge with rival company >>
By Janet Harmer
E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk
Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next hotel job here with Caterersearch.com jobs
|
|
Newsletters
For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters. | | |