Staycations set to boost NI economy by £340million
The industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic
Last updated 18th May 2021
Northern Ireland’s accommodation and indoor hospitality sector is expected to boost the economy by £340 million this year.
The industry has been one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is expected to bounce back with more people planning on taking staycations across the UK in 2021.
According to research from Barclays Bank thousands of people are making plans to holiday domestically for the rest of this year.
In fact, 44% of respondents said they would take at least one holiday in the UK in 2021.
Family holidays are also set for a resurgence with three in five people (58 per cent) expecting their appeal to surge, after a year of spending time away from their loved ones.
Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays, explained: “We’ve seen many small businesses adapting their premises to get ready to meet the needs of holidaymakers this summer.
“The investments that they have made for us all to enjoy a holiday and a meal out will hopefully be rewarded as people support the nation’s hotels, restaurants and shops, providing local economies with a welcome boost.”
The figures come as NI’s accommodation and indoor hospitality sector prepares to reopen on May 24 following the Executive's decision to ease more lockdown restrictions.
According to the bank the pandemic has encouraged people to support their local economy, and half of holidaymakers (48 per cent) are planning trips that will allow them to explore areas with lots of local, independent businesses.
Restaurants are also central to people’s holiday hopes, with access to a top dining spot considered to be ‘really important’ for holiday makers (54 per cent).
Over half of 18-34-year-olds (55 per cent) are looking for a luxury break as an antidote to the stress of lockdown life, compared to just one quarter of those over 55 (26 per cent).
That said, 45 per cent of 18-34-year-olds are looking to try sea kayaking or surfing this summer, suggesting appetite for activities remains high after weeks and months spent indoors.
One such business that will benefit from more people deciding to holiday at home is The Cow Byre in County Antrim.
It is a self-catering bunkhouse accommodation for up to 12 guests located five miles outside the port of Larne, nestled between the villages of Ballygally and Cairncastle.
The business is owned by Jacqueline and Seamus Mulvenna.
Jacqueline said: “Our role as owners is to promote and grow our business while providing the best customer experience we can.
“We are currently the only two employees and set our standards very high and we hope to expand our workforce in the not too distance future.
“As a new diversification project, on a working farm, we were excited to have the business operational from Spring 2020.
“Unfortunately, lockdown began which brought business to a standstill.
“Thankfully, the summer brought ‘staycations' which gave us an opportunity to open our doors to new guests.
“Undoubtedly, this was an invaluable experience as it gave us a brief insight into the running of our new business.
“In anticipation of the summer boom, we believe that additional casual staff will be required to help out during what is hoped to be a busy period.”
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