New research shows 40% are planning a staycation this year

New research has showed that Covid has resulted in UK holidaymakers taking increased staycations and camping trips, with 40% of the population (equivalent of 26.7 million people) planning to holiday in the UK this year.

The research by UK roof tent company TentBox shows over half of people planning to holiday in the UK are planning to go, or have been camping this year, which is an increase of around a third since 2019 – with camping seen as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to holidaying abroad.

TentBox say they’re preparing for what is likely to be a bumper year for camping and staycations. With hotels, B&Bs and even campsites experiencing surges in bookings this year the ability to drive up to a campsite with your own tent ready to go unlocks more choice and freedom.

By mounting a sturdy, easy to put up TentBox on top of any car that has roof rails, campers can increase the sense of freedom they already enjoy. With a TentBox you sleep on an in-built memory foam mattress away from the damp and often muddy ground – instantly removing two of the biggest drawbacks to camping.

The UK-based start-up has recently commissioned a piece of research that has revealed some intriguing findings about how and why UK holidaymakers plan to get away this summer.

Co-founder of TentBox, Ollie Shurville said: “The research findings confirm our predictions that this summer is going to be a bumper year for UK-based camping trips, and gives us tangible data on the shear scale of the staycation boom”

“Camping with a TentBox on the roof of your car is a smarter and more comfortable way to sleep outdoors, whilst also increasing the sense of fun and freedom camping can offer. The research also shows that camping is seen as a cost effective and environmentally friendly way of going on holiday.”

Research findings

Staycations

The impact of Covid has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people wishing to staycation and camp in the UK – 40% of the population are planning to go on holiday in the UK this year.

This trend is largely driven by the impact of Covid halting overseas holidays, agreed 52% of respondents.

Camping

56% of people planning to holiday in the UK are planning to go, or have been camping this year, which is an increase of around a third since 2019.

The top three reasons these people love camping are because it’s cost effective compared with other holidays, the sense of freedom it offers and for the whole family’s enjoyment.

Bad weather, lack of bathroom facilities and having to sleep on wet/muddy ground were the most frustrating reasons. And for those that have never been and don’t plan to go camping, sleeping outside/on the floor is their biggest bugbear with it.

Cost

Around 90% of people consider cost to be at least one of their top considerations when booking a holiday. Almost three quarters think camping is one of the most cost-effective ways of going on holiday, especially for younger people.

Over half of people consider it cost-effective because booking a campsite is cheaper than a hotel or B&B.

Environmental concerns

68% of people are always looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly and there is a massive trend (73% of people) towards reducing the number of flights people take for holidays to tackle climate change.

75% of people (increasing to 80% of those living in urban areas) consider camping one of the most environmentally friendly ways to holiday.

Reuse of equipment, less electricity usage, no need to fly and overall carbon footprint reduction are seen as the main reasons why camping is environmentally friendly.

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