The picturesque county of Dorset, located in South West England, has recently experienced a surge in holiday bookings, indicating a revival of local tourism.
West Bay Holiday Park, Sandford, and Warmwell have all reported significant increases in bookings for last-minute breaks during the school summer holidays compared to the same period last year.
The surge in holiday bookings has had a positive impact on the local economy. Parkdean Resorts, the owner of the West Bay site, noted that this surge is particularly beneficial for the local economy as it is heavily dependent on tourism.
The company’s data showed a 9% year-on-year increase in spending by holidaymakers, which is expected to benefit nearby hospitality and leisure businesses.
Xavier Vallee, chief customer officer at Parkdean Resorts, attributed the increase in last-minute bookings to disruptions in European holidays and the rising preference for UK-based holidays.
According to a report by the Dorset Echo, the surge in Dorset holiday bookings can be attributed to several factors. First, there has been a massive increase in last-minute bookings, as indicated by the 93% increase in bookings at West Bay Holiday Park compared to the same week last year.
Second, the disruption to European holidays this summer has led people to seek hassle-free experiences within the UK. Xavier Vallee noted that the rising number of people looking to holiday in the UK provides a welcome boost to local economies reliant on tourism.
Despite the positive impact of the surge in bookings, the hospitality industry in Dorset has faced several challenges. Many businesses were devastated to miss out on Easter trade due to the lockdown roadmap.
Parkdean Resorts expressed disappointment at being closed for Easter for the second year running, as it is a crucial time for them. However, hotels, B&Bs, and hostels have seen a boost in bookings since the Prime Minister’s roadmap announcement and are excited about the upcoming busy season.
The hospitality industry in Weymouth, Dorset, is preparing for a significant influx of visitors as “staycationers” plan to head to Dorset when the lockdown ends. Hotel and holiday park bosses have already seen a huge surge in bookings, but many are devastated to miss out on Easter trade due to the lockdown roadmap.
Dorset Police expect the number of people traveling to the county in the summer to be “higher than ever before.” This expectation is based on the surge in bookings experienced by hotels and holiday parks in the region.
The police are preparing for this influx of visitors and are working closely with local businesses and the community to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season for all.
The surge in holiday bookings in Dorset is a positive sign for the local economy and the hospitality industry. Despite the challenges faced by businesses due to the lockdown roadmap, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation for a busy summer season.
The increase in last-minute bookings, driven by disruptions in European holidays and a rising preference for UK-based holidays, provides a welcome boost to local economies reliant on tourism.
Dorset Police are preparing for a higher-than-ever number of visitors and are working closely with local businesses and the community to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer season for all.
