A NEW report out this week reveals that 55 per cent of people from Southampton will be holidaying in Great Britain over the next few months, splashing out on average £470.50 on their annual break.

These findings have been revealed in Travelodge’s annual holiday index.

The report shows that 2017 is set to be another strong year for the Staycation.

The index highlighted that holidaymakers will be splashing out on average £599.80 on their annual break – giving the UK economy a boost of £17 billion. However, there is a small drop of three percentage points in the overall number of Britons holidaying at home this year (55 per cent), compared to last year, which was 58 per cent.

A trip to the seaside still remains a favourite with 60 per cent of holidaymakers from Southampton opting for a coastal break and choosing Brighton, Devon and the Isle of Wight.

as their top destinations.

A third of people from Southampton reported that they are taking a rural break this summer with the Peak District and the Scottish Highlands being the leading choices.

The study also revealed that nearly half of Britons are taking a one-week holiday supported by three short breaks throughout the 2017. Just 12 per cent of holidaymakers from Southampton are taking a ‘traditional’ two-week holiday.

A separate report also found the UK holiday industry looks set to experience a bumper year according to one of UK’s leading independently-owned holiday park companies.

“Uncertainties over Brexit, the weakness of the pound, some great May weather and issues such as the recent BA flight chaos have ensured that bookings for 2017 are buoyant, with some months showing a double-digit growth on 2016 – which was itself a record year,” says Simon Pollock, chairman and managing director of Shorefield Holidays.

Shorefield Holidays is a family-owned business operating six parks across Hampshire and Dorset.

The company has also recently acquired a seventh location, in a strategic move for the business, which is being redeveloped as a luxury boutique lodge park.

“There’s been a shift in the last ten years, in response to a whole host of triggers and with the recession at the core. The result has been the renaissance of the British holiday and a focus more on spending time together as couples or with family and friends,” explains Simon.

“The short break has also become something of a phenomenon – supplementing a main summer break with a number of shorter escapes throughout the off-peak season. Our May half term was a total sell-out across all the parks and holiday bookings for June to September are very buoyant.”

“Our ownership portfolio is performing well as a result of these changes in habit, with people looking for a home-from-home that they can escape to as often as they want – and share with children and grandchildren. We have seen a real trend to retired couples buying one of our lodges or caravans with a view to sharing with extended families who may not be able to afford their own holidays. This multi-generational market looks set to continue to grow.”