AIBU to encourage people to holiday in the UK this year?

[BaliPebbles]

Growing up I did a few holidays in the Wales but as I got older we did the traditional Brit holiday of going to Spain (or Greece) for 2 weeks, lying on a deckchair everyday except one when we went out somewhere for a bit of culture (but became anxious of missing out on one tanning day), eating loads of creme caramel and then flying home and starting to peel before you left the arrivals lounge. As money improved, those hotels just got better and the destinations a bit more far away e.g. lying on a beach in Cancun.

I then lived overseas for nearly 20 years and went on some amazing holidays, still thinking that holidaying in the UK is just for the unenlightened.

Then we moved back to the UK with primary age children and we ventured to do a UK holiday. We were actually astonished at how great a time we had and how much happier the DC were and how much less stress it was. Mine don't actually want to be dragged through an airport and spend a whole day travelling, they don't want to go too far and away for too long. They like being in the car and stopping off. They like British things. Our UK holidays now consist of great food, interesting and off the beaten track excursions, somewhere nice to stay, history, culture and some activities.

Anyway, the reason why I am bleating on about this is because I just received a survey about using airlines once the lockdown is over. I filled it in and I realised that I don't actually want to go on a plane now for a long time. I don't want to add to climate change, I don't want to end up somewhere where coronavirus ramps up during my holiday, I do not want to be in a 5 hour queue either end of my plane journey and I don't want to listen to people coughing round me on a plane.

So, AIBU to remind people that we need to boost our own economy quite urgently and that actually, if you sit down and spend a couple of hours on the internet, you can make yourself a brilliant itinerary for a holiday in the UK because actually holidaying in Britain is great!

I don’t think people will have the choice to do otherwise.

I’m not sure that anyone needs such urging under the current circumstances.

Personally I think holidaying in the U.K. is a bit dreary. I’m looking forward to my Marrakesh holiday when it’s permitted.

I agree, the UK is great. It’s the most sensible thing to do, yes, because any holidays this year will be subject to change won’t they?

Anyway, the reason why I am bleating on about this is because I just received a survey about using airlines once the lockdown is over. I filled it in and I realised that I don't actually want to go on a plane now for a long time. I don't want to add to climate change, I don't want to end up somewhere where coronavirus ramps up during my holiday, I do not want to be in a 5 hour queue either end of my plane journey and I don't want to listen to people coughing round me on a plane.

Well, knock yourself out with what YOU do or don't want to do.

What I do will be decided by:

• what is legal
• what is recommended by legitimate sources
• what I can afford
• what I do or don't want to do

What you think doesn't get a look in after all that, I'm afraid.

(And I am well practised in tactically spending to support the home economy!)

We always holiday in the UK. I am hoping we will still be able to go away in August.

I don't think people will have a choice this year, but my DC want to spend 2 weeks jumping in a pool, playing with inflatables and for DS, scuba diving with me. Not an option in the UK as the weather doesn't allow and the diving is dry suit which DS is too young for at 10.

I don’t think the problem will be not wanting to go as such but that the experience will be completely different. attractions may be closed or longer lines, closed restaurants, how soon would hotels open?

What makes you think foreign countries will welcome brits this year?

The world is a big place, I can't think of anything worst than being stuck in the UK all year round unless I really have to. So, as soon as possible in the future, I intend to travel a lot more than I used to. Other countries need a boost too anyway. There are enough bank holidays and weekends to explore the UK.

It's also worth remembering that, as well as the bad weather, UK holidays are actually really expensive. I don't think international holidays will resume, so the demand for local holidays is going to push the prices up massively, and some places will be hideously crowded this year.

are you chris whitty?
YABU simply for sounding so sanctimonious

(nb france and spain certainly won't be letting Brits in anyway, and I presume a number of other countries)

No thanks. I would rather stay at home if I cannot go abroad. Used to have UK hols but realised how crap they were, raining all the time, cold even in July and very expensive. I wouldn't go on another.

More people than you think holiday in the UK anyway. I've not been abroad for 4 years and I could only afford to go because I worked somewhere with crazy discounts and I used some divorce settlement money to go. It was only a week in Ibiza.

I love UK holidays, at the moment though I doubt the locals want tourists this year!

There are lots of threads dying please don’t come to UK holiday destinations this year, you will bring the virus to us and our rural hospitals can’t cope...

I’ll make my own mind up thanks.

I use holidays as a means of seeing places and experiencing other cultures with the added benefit of better weather.
UK prices are astronomical. So my answer is yes, you are being unreasonable. A
As soon as it is safe to go I'm off.

No thanks. I’d rather save my money to be able to see my family members who all live overseas. At this stage, with elderly family members, it looks like we may never all be reunited again.

A week in Skeggy doesn’t really compensate for that.

I'm happy to holiday in the UK (through gritted teeth because of unreliable weather) but I don't think we will get that lucky. Not because of restrictions, but it will be lack of supply and inflated prices. I don't blame the industry if prices are inflated. They have lost a lot. It just means that a lot of us won't be able to afford it.

Agree that holidays in Uk can be fab but I like swimming outside and being warm. I like snorkelling and visiting markets to buy enormous peaches and tomatoes.
I realise it’s a luxury to do these things but doesn’t mean I’m not disappointed I can’t do it this year.

I enjoy a UK break, they're less stressful travelling wise. But they're more bloody expensive than 10 days abroad!! A weekend in a caravan costs me more than a week in Spain.

I will be going abroad again once it is safe to do so. Our holiday this year was cancelled because of coronavirus, that's our 3rd holiday in the last few years that has ended up cancelled for various reasons. I won't be rushing to go though, and don't imagine it will be until the end of the year. We will be doing a UK break in autumn.

We do both, a couple of weekends away in the UK and then 2/3 weeks in Spain in Summer.

I’d never have my main holiday in the UK as the weather is too unpredictable!

Who are you to tell me where to holiday?

Are you from Visit Britain??

Yeah, please don't folks a UK holiday is the only kind of holiday I can afford!

If we increase the demand prices will skyrocket and I can't afford that!

To be honest, I'm not sure anyone's going on holiday anywhere this year anyway. Even UK nevermind abroad.

It's also worth remembering that, as well as the bad weather, UK holidays are actually really expensive. I don't think international holidays will resume, so the demand for local holidays is going to push the prices up massively, and some places will be hideously crowded this year.

Yes, I agree, though my preference is for freer activities anyway - hiking, rather than attractions.

Attractions may be opened, but will have reduced capacity for distancing purposes, and will be limited to those that can distance anyway. For example, a stately home can be got around without touching and with distancing, but then would be harder to clean. An aquarium or zoo also, and a safari park would be ok as you don't even have to leave the car.

But a roller coaster might be harder as it involves continual reuse and touching of the same seats etc.

I'd be happy to be ordered to sit on a beach and sunbathe in the same spot every day, and the distancing might end the sunbed squabbles once and for all!

The main problem with that is that people who live in tourist destinations are actively discouraging visitors despite needing the income. It seems they would rather try and get more money out of the government than welcome tourists back to their areas.

Personally, I prefer foreign holidays anyway, they’re better value for money and you’re more likely to get decent weather. It’s always amazed me how much UK holidays cost in comparison to going away. But if I was inclined to do a UK holiday instead this year, the hugely unwelcoming attitude of locals would put me right off.

And I don't like doing the type of holiday where we just lie on the beach. Sure, a couple of beach days are ok, but I like a bit of culture. I don't get that in the UK.
Can't understand people that spend 4k flying long haul and then don't leave the resort. Might as well go to Cornwall.