The figures are the highest since this survey began in 2013. Last year, 2018, 4.8 million Brits planned to take an overnight holiday trip during Easter, in 2017 the figure was 6.6 million, in 2016 it was 6.1 million and in 2015 it was 4.6 million.
Tourism Minister Michael Ellis said:
"The UK has world-class cities, stunning landscapes, fascinating museums and historic sites that millions of people flock to each year. It is great to see that so many people are planning a staycation this Easter where they will enjoy and explore superb destinations across the country."
VisitEngland Director Patricia Yates said:
“It is great to see so many Brits are planning holidays at home in the UK in what is set to be a cracking Easter, bringing a boost for businesses and local economies as the summer season gets underway.
“Right across the country visitors will find experiences to enjoy no matter what the weather. Holidaying at home continues to be a great choice with the certainty of budgeting, the ease and convenience, and the quality on offer all tempting people to explore beyond their doorstep.”
This year’s VisitEngland Easter Trip Tracker survey also found that more than seven million Brits, 15%, are undecided about whether to take an overnight trip during Easter with almost a third of those waiting to see what the weather is like.
A focus for VisitEngland is getting more young Brits to take short-breaks at home with a campaign promoting ‘microgapping,’ experiences and activities typically taken during a gap-year that can be condensed into a short domestic break of one-to-three nights.
Statistics show that 16-to-34 year olds have the lowest growth across all age groups for taking holidays at home during the last decade. Working with destinations and tourism businesses VisitEngland is targeting this ‘lost generation’ to ignite the passion for domestic travel in young people, inspiring them to take a holiday at home and throughout their lifetimes, boosting the economy now and driving growth from tourism in the future.
Tourism is worth £127 billion annually to the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting economic growth across its nations and region.
The VisitEngland Easter Trip Tracker survey can be found here.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• Brits took 57.9 million holidays at home in Great Britain in 2018, spending £14.3 billion (source: Great Britain Tourism Survey).
• For more on VisitEngland’s microgapping campaign please see our press release.
About VisitEngland’s Easter Trip Tracker Survey
• The 7.4 million represents 14% of British adults who said that they would definitely take a UK holiday during the Easter weekend.
• VisitEngland commissions online omnibus surveys periodically in order to collect data on the number of GB consumers who plan to take an overnight trip at key times throughout the year.
• In this April edition, the survey was carried out on an online omnibus by Kantar, with a representative sample of 1258 adults aged 16 and over in Great Britain.
• The fieldwork for the survey took place between 11th and 15th of April 2019.
• Trip volumes are based on an adult (16+) population of 51m in GB (Office for National Statistics).
• For the full report visit our bank holiday trip tracker page.
Easter holiday activities in England (5 April 2019 – Tuesday 23 April).
Easter outdoors
Discover National Parks, Nationwide
6-21st April
Help celebrate a milestone anniversary for National Parks. This year the annual National Parks Fortnight of events and activities will have an especial significance as it marks the National Park’s 70th.The festival is moving to spring and will time with the Easter school holidays across the UK. Expect events from caving to navigation, letterboxing and more. Find out what’s happening nearby you here:
https://nationalparks.uk/visiting/discover-national-parks
Educational Easter
Horrible Science at Wakehurst
6-22 April
Come and experience Horrible Science at Wakehurst this Easter Holiday, based on the best-selling books by Nick Arnold. There's an exciting line-up of activities to explore the most villainous tricks and secrets of the plant world. Learn about the weirdest and most horrible plants, from bug-eating monsters to weeds that kill in our variety of horrid activities. Stinky plant workshops, horrible plant games, frightening face-painting, a wicked weeds trail and more will be waiting to lure you in. Activities included in admission unless stated. Adults: £13.95 Children (16 and under): free.
https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-on/horrible-science-easter
Easter Trails at Castles and Estates
Warwick Castle, Falconer’s Quest
6 April – 31 October
All eyes will be on the skies over Warwick Castle in April 2019 as 50 high flying Birds of Prey take flight in an all action, dynamic display of aerial acrobatics. Join the Falconer in an epic quest of discovery to find the finest Birds in all of the land, in this brand new, action-packed, spectacular show, which will be the UK’s largest birds of prey show! Entry costs from £15 per person (when booked in advance online).
www.warwick-castle.com
Hunt dragon eggs with Easter Adventure Quests at Goodrich Castle
6-22 April
Head to beautiful Goodrich Castle near Ross on Wye, to hunt dragon eggs on a quest with the whole family. Find tasty chocolate treats along the way and receive a certificate once all the quests have been completed. The Easter Adventure Quest is running 6-22 April. General admissions (adult £8 & kids over 5 £4.80) apply as well as an additional £1 per child.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/goodrich-castle/
Springtime fun at Chatsworth this Easter
30 March - 28 April
Easter at Chatsworth has arrived, with something for visitors of all ages spread throughout the garden, farmyard and playground from 30 March to 28 April. The hugely popular Easter egg hunts will take place in the farmyard throughout the four-day Easter weekend with lots of hidden eggs to find. Included with your garden and/or farmyard ticket.
www.chatsworth.org/events/easter-at-chatsworth
Blenheim Palace Pleasure Gardens
19 – 22 April
Blenheim Palace’s Family Pleasure Gardens will transform into an Easter wonderland with lots of interactive experiences, family-friendly activities, Easter trails and shows to enjoy. Admission Adult £16.00 / Child £7.40 (Age 5-16) / Concession £13.00 / Family £43.00 (2 Adults & 2 Children).
www.blenheimpalace.com
Easter at the Races
Easter Monday Family Race Day at Chepstow Racecourse
22 April
Spend Easter Monday at Chepstow Racecourse for seven great races plus plenty of other entertainment including live music, circus skills, face painting, go karts and donkey rides. Kids go free and there’s free parking. Takes place on Easter Monday. Family tickets are available from £25 for 2 adults and kids go free.
www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk
Free Easter
Dreamland Margate free to enter offer for Easter
6 April - 24 May
Dreamland Margate has announced that it will be free to enter during its 2019 opening season. The Margate attraction is waiving its £5 entry fee when the main amusement park reopens on 6th April, allowing guests to explore the vintage park again and again over Easter and pay per rides if they wish. There will be queue jump and discounted wristband options for non-members who book their visit online in advance at while Dreamland Members will have unlimited rides and further perks throughout the spring and summer.
www.dreamland.co.uk
For more information on what’s new in England this spring please visit: www.media.visitengland.com
