Suitcases packed, tickets sorted, suncream… well, that’s probably optional.
For this summer the great getaway is looking increasingly like being very close to home.
A combination of global events impacting jet fuel prices and flight cancellations combined with the not so insignificant matter of Scotland in the World Cup, Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the cost-of-living squeeze, is being credited with creating a perfect melting pot for a staycation boom.
Faced with a summer of uncertainty, holidays closer to home are said to be topping many Scots' travel list.
In the past month alone, jet fuel prices have soared 83 per cent, with airlines like Lufthansa announcing swathes of flight cancellations and others goes bust.
Read more:
- Car parking charges to be introduced at key visitor locations in Scottish Highlands
- Hearts' shot at the title against Celtic will be heard around the world
- Edinburgh hotels and hospitality stars dominate major Scottish industry awards
It led to travel giant TUI Group last week adding to sunseekers’ dilemmas when it warned that holiday prices to some of Europe’s most popular hotspots could rise because of the Iran conflict.
While cruising is also off the cards for some in the wake of Hanta virus and vessels under quarantine due to gastroenteritis among passengers and crew
According to travel website Expedia, holidaymakers are already making plans closer to home: it says there's a spike in domestic travellers exploring Stirling and St Andrews as potential destinations summer spots.
All of which could be good news for the economy: research from Go.Compare found if British holidaymakers redirect just 10% of what they’d normally spend on a holiday abroad into a UK staycation, it could pump £3.3 million into the UK economy.
Its analysis of data from the Office of National Statistics, VisitBritain and ABTA suggests Scotland would be among the destinations to gain most should UK households holiday at home.
VisitScotland’s Director of Strategy & Competitive Intelligence, Cat Leaver, says the signs are pointing towards a summer staycation.
“Scotland has long been a popular destination for staycationers but a number of factors will influence how the coming season plays out.
“The situation in the Middle East remains concerning and unpredictable. Our insights suggest that interest in Scotland remains strong, particularly within key international markets.
“However, there are growing concerns in the domestic market around the rising cost of living as a result of the conflict.
"With UK visitors typically planning and booking later than international travellers, we may see more people take a ‘wait and see’ approach, with personal circumstances, life stages and financial considerations influencing their decisions.”
Scotland’s history, outdoor activities, food and scenery are already a lure for tourists, but a summer of events is likely to boost visitor numbers even more.
“We have a busy summer of sporting and cultural events ahead, which will play an important role in encouraging people to visit Scotland - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the Edinburgh Festivals, Genesis Scottish Open, The Clipper Round The World Race stopover, TRNSMT Festival and Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival among a host of others."
That said, many holidaymakers are likely to head north - around 82% who tackle the NC500 route are UK domestic visitors.
Clare Winskill, Executive Chair at NC500 Ltd says it remains to be seen if this year will be a bumper one for staycations.
“With ongoing disruption to international flights, there has naturally been discussion around whether more people may choose to holiday closer to home this summer.
“Anecdotally, we are hearing that the route has been quieter this year compared to last so there’s no evidence that people have made a switch to staycations yet.
“That said, there is still a strong opportunity for the NC500 to benefit from renewed interest in domestic travel, with UK visitors already making up a significant proportion of those travelling the route.
“We know many people are increasingly looking for holidays that offer flexibility, nature, culture, and meaningful experiences closer to home.
“If more people choose to visit the North Coast 500, we'd encourage them to try and stay longer, use the many great accommodation providers along the route, engage with local communities and support independent businesses across the North Highlands in what is a difficult time for the tourism industry.”
At Julie Brown’s campervan hire business Staycation Scotland, bookings are already 15% up on last year.
“We have a lot of international bookings but have also seen a big increase in UK bookings which seems to reflect the current state of the world.
“People appear to be more inclined to stay at home,” she says.
“The cost of fuel doesn’t seem to be putting people off. It looks like they are thinking it’s offset by what it would cost to travel abroad and are okay to take that hit.
“One area we’re seeing a lot of interest is among solo female travellers coming from all over the world who see it as a safe way to travel.”
Some in the sector are hoping the getaway might bring visitors to ‘hidden gem’ parts of Scotland.
In Dumfries and Galloway, Sylvia Mallinson, at community-led All Roads Lead to Whithorn, which operates an 18-bed luxury community bunkhouse, says there has been rising interest in the area.
“One of the lovely things about this area is that it still feels authentic and peaceful,” she says.
“It is not overcrowded, which means visitors can slow down, switch off and enjoy real quality time together while still experiencing stunning coastlines, history, walking routes and community hospitality.
“We have definitely seen continued interest in people wanting to explore Scotland more, especially families and groups looking for something more meaningful and affordable closer to home.
“Weather always plays a part but overall there is still a strong appetite for staycations and discovering hidden gems.”
At one tourism hotspot Loch Ness, Russell Fraser, manager of Lochness Travel & Visitor Hub, believes the signs are good for another busy summer.
“From what we’re seeing so far, bookings are shaping up positively for the season ahead.
“There are encouraging signs that demand is holding strong, particularly as more people look to stay closer to home.
“Forward bookings suggest a solid and potentially busy summer overall.”
However, Russell, who is also chair of tourism network group Scottish Community Tourism (SCOTO), warns: “The ongoing cost of living pressures do seem to be influencing how much people are willing to spend during their trips, even if visitor numbers remain steady.”
Some areas are already feeling the pressure. Last week the operators of the Ulva Ferry said they'll halt summer crossings because they’re already too busy.
In a Facebook post, the ferry operators said “unprecedented interest in the island has been wonderful and we are delighted that more people are finding out what makes Ulva so special.”
However, they added: “None of us could have predicted how significant the increase in the numbers of visitors would be, so to give ourselves, the Boathouse and fellow islanders the chance to recharge and prepare for the week ahead, we have made the difficult decision not to open Sundays this summer.”
The island’s popularity has boomed largely due to Banjo Beale’s Designing the Hebrides programme.
Back on the mainland, Craig Mills, CEO of the Cairngorms Business Partnership and VisitCairngorms, is upbeat.
“With current foreign travel challenges, more people are choosing the stunning beauty of the Cairngorms for their holidays and we are already seeing bookings reflect this.
“We fully expect this trend to continue over the coming months," he says.
Trips could be boosted even further if Scots take up cheap travel offers to explore the Highlands, says Caron Tobin of SCOTO.
“As fuel costs and travel uncertainty continue to play out, we anticipate more people may well choose to travel closer to home this summer.
“We’d encourage everyone to be adventurous and look beyond the usual busy hotspots.
“This summer with £2 bus fares in the Highlands and various rail ticket options it would be great to see more people ditching the car. This both relieves parking issues in smaller communities and reduces the environmental impact.”
Further north, Phil Scott, managing director of the five-star Links House at Royal Dornoch on the North Coast 500 may be hoping golfers keen to experience the golf course’s new clubhouse might boost numbers.
“We’re seeing a mix of short and mid-lead reservations from both domestic and European markets - certainly more than we’ve typically experienced,” he says.
“There’s a clear tendency toward two- to three-night stays, with a noticeable preference for suites, which suggests the luxury market is staying closer to home or travelling shorter haul from mainland Europe.
“Our golf market remains very robust, and at this stage we haven’t seen cancellations driven by the wider global issues.
“Overall, it feels like guests are staying closer to home, travelling a little less, but placing more value on the quality of the experience when they do."
The search for unique experiences is also fuelling visitors, says Kenny McMillan, Managing Director of Highland Coast Hotels on the North Coast 500.
“We've recognised that guests are looking for experiences that feel authentic, restorative and good value closer to home.
“We continue to develop added-value experiences such as our Traitors-inspired Coastal Castles itinerary, encouraging guests to stay longer, travel more slowly and experience more of what the Highlands has to offer.
“There is a real sense that people want holidays that feel meaningful and memorable, without necessarily travelling overseas.”
A staycation boom, a Scotland team lasting more than three games in the World Cup and some sunshine would all add up to good news for the hospitality sector, says Stephen Montgomery of Scottish Hospitality Group.
“The World Cup timings are not great and for the businesses staying open, it’s going to be logistically labour-intensive period, so we really hope people will support them.”
However, he warns even a bumper summer won't fix the challenges facing the sector and is calling for an emergency Scottish Government level summit to address the pressures of business rates and other expenses.
“There has to be a recognition that hospitality businesses are struggling,” he adds.
Share