Holidaymakers staying closer to home in 2009

Hoburne Holiday Parks this week reveals a 200 per cent increase in advance booking figures as a growing number of families choose a UK-tion – a holiday in the UK - over a break abroad next year.

Bosses at the company’s Dorset head office are talking about inflation of a different kind than has dominated the headlines to date – the meteoric rise in reservations for the 2009 season, which has seen advance bookings increase from £200,000 by November 2007 to £600,000 so far this year.

The bookings boost at Hoburne follows a rise in the popularity of UK-tions last summer, when the combined force of the credit crunch, the strength of the euro and fuel increases pushing up the price of long haul flights convinced many families to explore breaks closer to home.

The trend is clearly set to continue next year as even more people book up to enjoy stunning sea views or unspoilt English countryside on the doorstep of Hoburne’s seven Holiday Parks across the south from the Cotswolds to Cornwall.

Managing Director of Hoburne Holiday Parks, James Lapage, said:

“A lot of people are naturally concerned about what is around the corner, but they look forward to their family holiday. We have frozen many of our 2008 prices to help ensure families tightening their purse strings can still enjoy precious time away together.

“The booking figures we are seeing are testament to the increase in popularity of UK breaks and show the UK-tion is becoming the top choice for many planning next year’s holidays.

“It’s no surprise to us, or our many repeat customers who know the priority we place on customer care, on the high quality of our accommodation and on investment in the facilities we offer, that more and more people are choosing to book with Hoburne.”

Recent research carried out by insurance company Towergate Bakers has revealed that two thirds of people are planning a holiday in the UK next year. Some 20 per cent of parents intend to take their children on a caravan holiday, inspired by happy memories of UK breaks when they were young, and almost a quarter are planning a British seaside holiday.