UK holiday bookings boom again as fears grow for trips abroad – we’ve found deals from £29 a night

THE appetite for holidays in the UK this summer has soared once again, following the announcement that Brits risk a £5,000 fine for travelling abroad without a valid reason.

As a result, several holiday companies have reported a sharp rise in searches for staycations in the past 24 hours.

PA:Press Association

Staycation bookings have boomed since the 5k overseas fine announcement[/caption]

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According to iNews, Rest Easy Group, who manage travel sites Snaptrip and LateRooms.com, there was a 45 per cent increase in searches for UK holidays yesterday compared to the day before.

That’s nearly 20,000 more visitors to their sites over the course of 24 hours.

Awaze, which owns Hoseasons and cottages.com has said both brands have seen a surge in peak summer bookings over the last few days.

Despite the surge in bookings, those who haven’t yet secured a UK holiday can still find some great deals:

• Premier Inn family rooms across the UK from £29 per night
• Travelodge rooms across the UK from £29 per night
• Forest Holidays June breaks – hot-tubs stays available from £530 per stay 
• VRBO two-night treehouse stay in Devon in October from £256 per stay 
• VRBO two-night treehouse stay in Shropshire in October from £319 per stay 
• Cool Stays properties to rent in England from £90 per night
• Canopy & Stars treehouse Glamping holidays from £60 per night
• Center Parcs luxury treehouse four-night breaks from £399
• Haven June three-night breaks from £99 per stay 
• Butlins three-night breaks in Bognor in July Regis from £469 per stay    
• Park Holidays three-night breaks in Essex, Devon, Kent, Suffolk and Sussex from £194 per stay 
• Airbnb weekend breaks in England from £94 per night
• Pontins staycation sale from £89 per apartment
• Away Resorts short July breaks from £199 per stay 
• Shorefield short breaks in July from £398 per stay 
• Snaptrip Holiday homes, lodges and cottages three-night July breaks from £223 per stay
• Warner Leisure Hotels three-night breaks from £214 per person 

Getty – Contributor

Several holiday companies have reported a sharp rise in searches for staycations in the past 24 hours[/caption]

CEO of Rest Easy Group, Matt Fox told iNews: “This morning, since the news of a £5,000 fine was announced, we’ve observed a 45 per cent increase in searches for UK stays compared to the same time period yesterday.”

“With inventory already very strained for the summer (up to 95 per cent of inventory has been sold in popular areas like Devon and Cornwall during July and August) people are clearly in a rush to try and ensure that they get some kind of holiday this summer.”

Simon Altham, group chief commercial officer at Awaze, added: “There’s no doubt the continuing uncertainty about foreign travel is having an impact on people’s booking habits. We’ve definitely seen a marked increase in demand and traffic to our site in the last 72 hours as holidaymakers weigh up their options and look forward to what we all hope is going to be a Great British summer.”

New laws will be put to Parliament next week that could extend the ban on foreign holidays until the end of June, despite the Government saying that international travel could restart after May 17.

The Government’s travel task force reports back on restarting international travel on April 12 and the earliest we will be allowed to leave the country is May 17.

But at a press conference last night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he hoped to be able to say more about foreign travel by April 5, seven days before the task force is due to report back.

Scientific advisers and ministers are warning that summer trips abroad are not guaranteed and there is a fine of £5,000 for those who travel without valid reason.

There are a limited number of exempted reasons where travel is allowed.

If you’re looking for more staycation inspiration, holiday parks are offering huge bargains – some of which start from £3pp a night – and we’ve found the best UK holiday parks with children’s entertainment and the best holiday parks with outdoor pools.

There are also great UK coach trips for families, cheap quirky homes to rent, cheap staycation breaks with hot tubs and Bridgerton-inspired stays.

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