It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year as 36% of Britons are marking the end of an extraordinary 2021 with a joyous festive Staycation over the 12 days of Christmas.
According to new research from Travelodge, the average ‘Crimbocation’ is going to be for three nights and will cost on average £346.13. Collectively, these festive holidaymakers and travellers will boost the British economy by £8 billion.
These findings have been revealed in Travelodge’s latest Travel Index. The hotel chain, which operates 582 hotels across the length and breadth of the UK, has surveyed 2,000 British adults to seek their festive season travel plans.
Key findings from the study revealed that 50% of Britons reported that 2021 has been an extremely stressful year and they need a festive short break in order to reconnect with their families this Christmas.
While 39% of parents reported that taking a Christmas-themed short break is cheaper than keeping the children entertained at home during the 12 days of Christmas, over a third (37%) of parents stated that they are taking their children away on a Staycation as their Christmas gift.
Interestingly, a third (33%) of respondents reported that their Christmas getaway is their first holiday this year.
Detailed below are the top ten types of short breaks Britons are taking this festive season
Rank | Festive break | % of Britons |
1 | Visiting family in their home location | 41% |
2 | Visiting friends in their home location | 33% |
3 | Catching up with a family group in a central location | 30% |
4 | City break | 29% |
5 | Catching up with a group of friends in a central location | 29% |
6 | Christmas shopping break | 28% |
7 | Visiting a Christmas market | 27% |
8 | Active rural break | 26% |
9 | Visiting a Christmas attraction | 25% |
10 | Coastal break | 24% |
Over half of British travellers (57%) reported that they are taking a multi-location break and visiting two different locations over the festive period, such as combining a UK city break with a visit to see friends or family.
The top festive 2021 short break destinations are dominated by the UK’s historic cities steeped in history and culture, and renowned for their Christmas decorations and festive markets.
Detailed below are the top ten 2021 destinations Britons are visiting this festive season.
1. London
2. Birmingham
3. Edinburgh
4. Manchester
5. Liverpool
6. York
7. Cardiff
8. Newcastle
9. Glasgow
10.Cambridge
The report also revealed that Britons will be travelling on average 60 miles for their festive break this Christmas. Travelling by car is the nation’s preferred form of transport, with 69% of Britons driving to their festive Staycation destination.
With Britons spending so much time travelling across the UK during the festive season, respondents were also asked which Christmas songs are on their car drive playlist.
Topping the poll was the 1987 classic ‘Fairytale of New York’ by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl. In second place is the 1984 Wham smash, ‘Last Christmas’, with 1973’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ by Wizzard taking third place. In fourth place is 1986’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ by Chris Rea, with the 1973 perennial hit ‘Merry Xmas Everybody’ by Slade taking fifth place.
The table below details the nation’s top ten Christmas driving playlist songs
Rank |
Song |
Singer |
1 | Fairytale of New York | The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl |
2 | Last Christmas | Wham |
3 | I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday | Wizzard |
4 | Driving Home For Christmas | Chris Rea |
5 | Merry Xmas Everybody | Slade |
6 | All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey |
7 | Do They Know It’s Christmas | Band Aid |
8 | Merry Christmas Everyone | Shakin' Stevens |
9 | Step Into Christmas | Elton John |
10 | White Christmas | Bing Crosby |
Further research findings revealed that visiting family and friends over Christmas is the most popular reason to travel this festive season, and that 36% of Britons are expecting to eat three Christmas dinners in order to keep loved ones happy!
Interestingly, 43% of those surveyed said that they have booked a hotel room when visiting family and friends this festive season. The main reasons given were that it supports social distancing, eliminates the stress of getting under the host’s feet and that you have the freedom to come and go as you wish.
Craig Bonnar, Travelodge Chief Executive said: “We are seeing a strong level of leisure bookings across our 582 UK hotels this festive season. Britons are trying to make the most of this wonderful time of the year and are getting outdoors to experience what makes Britain so great at Christmas time. Key destinations are historic UK cities dressed for the festive season that feature a Christmas market and are renowned as top shopping and entertainment destinations such as Edinburgh, York, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath and London.
“As the nation’s spare room provider, we are also seeing more Britons booking a room at one of our 582 Travelodge hotels when visiting friends and family this festive season. Nowadays, not many households have a spare room and Britons have outgrown sleeping on the sofa or on the floor, comfort is key and our Travelodge Dreamer beds don’t disappoint on getting a good night’s sleep.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
The Travelodge Press Office
T: 01844 35 8703