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!

YABU. The UK when the weather is crap is awful.

We go away once a year and we know we will get sunshine.

We're unlikely to have the option of travelling abroad this year. That being the case, I'd rather support my local economy than impose on somewhere like Devon or Cornwall. They will be more crowded than usual anyway, and probably even more expensive.

No, UK holidays are always a raging disappointment I find. Usually because of the weather but often due to vastly inflated prices of accommodation and poor/expensive attractions. Not sure why you are portraying the airport/travel aspect as a huge effort, we enjoy it as part of the holiday, getting to the airport, having some food, bit of shopping in duty free and then on to the plane. And yes, all this done with babies/toddlers and still enjoyable (although admittedly easier as they get older).

OP I’ve never travelled to the same place twice, I travel for different experiences & usually long haul. I dream of sitting at the airport having a beer, or on the plane having a glass of red. I see enough of the UK & have no urges to holiday here too.

We always holiday in the UK because I won't fly. It is stupidly expensive though, so I very much get why people prefer to go abroad.

Having said that, judging by the threads on here (which I know aren't really representative of the real world), are the 'tourist counties' going to want visitors?

I have voted YABU.

I think you’re on a bit of a wind up tbh. First you rub people’s nose on what a great time you’ve had flitting about the planet but then take it upon yourself to ‘encourage’ them to only holiday in the UK....

Ignoring the fact that nobody will have much choice for a while anyway...why do you feel it necessary to post this? Are you the British Tourist Board? Most people are stuck at home, many with much less income than they’re used to, some with no income at all. I don’t blame them for dreaming of a lovely holiday eventually.

I don’t need urging but I love a U.K. holiday and hate flying anyway

At this point in time with all the talk of recession I think the boost to U.K. tourism from people who normally go abroad could be very good thing for the country

self catering cottages in the UK cost loads of money!

In my experience it really depends on where you go. If you go to the Lakes, Devon or Cornwall then of course it's going to be expensive, but if you're willing to go somewhere off the beaten track then the prices drop considerably.

We went to the Peak District last year over half-term but stayed somewhere not remotely touristy and paid £350 or so for a week's self-catering. We had a fantastic time!

My DH would rather go somewhere exotic

We married last year but due to some issues we never managed to have a honeymoon and he was so looking forward to going on one big special holiday with me before baby comes

Unfortunately for him that won’t happen now

I do holiday in the uk because of financial constraints. I have been abroad with both children but found the travel extremely stressful. The only good thing about going abroad is the decent weather. The weather in the uk is far too unpredictable and often wet/cold.

I have friends who live in Cornwall and they seem to be on some crusade to stop anyone coming there this year. Hell, they're even angry at locals walking on empty beaches. They are so bloody sanctimonious, all this while the local businesses there are keen to get going again and happy to try and open up and find solutions to their business needs.

This is why i hate holidaying in the UK. There is usually so much resentment and hostility from the locals.

Good luck with going anywhere even in the UK this year. Even if we’re allowed to travel to Cornwall in July I’m not exactly relishing the prospect with the general attitude towards holidaymakers from (some) locals.

Also if everyone now decides to holiday in UK tourist areas they will end up massively overpriced and even more difficult to secure (we booked our holiday in st ives at the beginning of the year and there was hardly any choice). I’m thinking we should probably book for next year soon too because I reckon it’ll be so busy due to the amount of people who won’t want to go abroad and stay in the UK instead.

So from an entirely selfish perspective no, I hope everyone continues to holiday abroad and leaves my beloved Cornwall alone.

If everyone is so worried about UK holiday prices rising why not book now? I have for a week in Sept, small deposit. Might not happen, but if it doesn't there's no risk involved, deposit refunded or date moved to next year.

OP used the word encourage not demand so I think posters being nasty in their replies are uncalled for.
Nothing wrong with having a different opinion.
We all like different things from a holiday.

This year OP we had planned to holiday in the UK for some of the reasons you mentioned.

We’ve had some great holidays abroad but decided there were lots of places/things we hadn’t seen in the UK and we’d keep holidaying close to home this year.

It’s looking like it’ll be the back garden atm.

I have friends who live in Cornwall and they seem to be on some crusade to stop anyone coming there this year. Hell, they're even angry at locals walking on empty beaches. They are so bloody sanctimonious, all this while the local businesses there are keen to get going again and happy to try and open up and find solutions to their business needs

We lived in Devon for years (husband is from there) and talking to friends and family there, it seems there is a split down the middle between, keep the grockles away (their words, not mine!) and those who are desperate to get tourists in their pubs/shops/boats etc. because their livelihoods are going down the pan. We were due to go in July but have cancelled, mainly because we don't think that restaurants/pubs etc. will be open and that makes up a big part of our holiday. (Aside from visiting family of course )

Sorry but no, I love to explore new countries and new cultures.

And for what it's worth, our daughter loves flying but is terribly car sick (talking pebble-dashing the windscreen from the back seat kind of car sick), so driving around in the UK would be truly hideous for us all!

So how about you boost the UK tourist industry and I'll boost another country's? The whole of the tourist industry world-wide is suffering so it'll be a win-win!

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

Hypocrite therefore Yabu
I'll be doing both as always as soon as possible

My holiday in a week's time to Scotland has sadly been postponed until next year

I'd actually love some tips for when it's safe to travel around the UK again, whenever that may be.

We are childless, not that keen on the 'seaside' or quaint little villages, and don't fancy camping either. Any ideas for where we might like?

I love the UK there are some amazing places to visit, beautiful scenery and great history. However I love to travel, and whilst I am happy to adapt my holidays in the short term. The thought of never getting on a plane again fills me with dread. The world is a big place and I want to see as much as I can.

I went to Cornwall last June. I've never seen rain or wind like it !
Still enjoyed it though

I enjoy exploring foreign places too

I holiday in the UK a lot, mainly because I'm not particularly well off so can't afford to go abroad every year.

I always have a lovely time and there are some very nice places in this country.

However, there are some places elsewhere that are just so much better than here - the Alps, for example - incredible. No mountain range in Britain can compare. Yes, the Lakes and Scotland are lovely but very small in comparison.

we did the traditional Brit holiday of going to Spain (or Greece) for 2 weeks, lying on a deckchair everyday

That's what you might have done. I've been abroad loads of times and never done that. It would bore me to tears. We don't all take holidays just to get sun and do nothing. Once this is over then yes I will go abroad again. Doesn't mean I never visit other places in the UK because I do. But it isn't either/or for me. I'll be doing both.

Luckily we already had our exotic holiday this year, in January/February. We will holiday locally next time, but I can’t wait to fly off to somewhere amazing again.

I typically holiday in the UK but tried to rebook something planned for this year to May next year and there's not much availability and it seems that property owners are reluctant to take bookings until they are certain what's happening with travel restrictions and also to see if their businesses will survive financially......there was me trying to help small rural economies by at least paying a deposit but seems most of them don't want the trade at the moment.