UK Based Holidays Set To Increase

The Coach Tourism Council (CTC) has predicted a good year for coach operators.

The association questioned its members on various trends in 2010 and 2011, and says the 'staycation' is here to stay.

Coaches followed the domestic travel trend in 2010 with almost 50% of operators reporting that UK based coach tours had performed better than in 2009.

In the final quarter of 2010, 32% of operators experienced an increase in trips taken within the UK compared to those taken in 2009. They also experienced a reduction in trips to Europe.

It is thought that this pattern is a reflection of the increased value of the euro which hits spend on the continent, as well as an increase in awareness of what is being offered in the UK.

This extra attention to UK trips and tours has led to many operators introducing new, even more exciting coach itineraries.

The trend is expected to continue, and overall operators are optimistic for 2011, with more than 70% saying bookings would increase or at minimum continue at the same rate despite the VAT increase at the beginning of 2011.