Dorset staycation bookings 'boom' for 2022
Weymouth's Waterside are still seeing a high level of demand
Waterside Holiday Park found in Weymouth, other parts of Dorset and in Cornwall, are seeing a huge surge in bookings for next year.
The company offer stays in caravans and holiday homes which are proving popular for not only 2022's summer months but June, July and September too.
On their first week of opening on April 12th this year, the parks were at 80% capacity and shortly after it went to 95 - 100%, which the company say will continue right the way through to October when they close.
Neil Davis, head of holidays at the Waterside holiday group says it is down to people still feeling uncertain about going abroad on holiday.
"We have seen that people have really enjoyed their experience here in the UK, so this isn't a flash in the plan, people like the entertainment they are seeing, the food they have been served and have been surprised at how some of the countryside and beaches in the UK are.
"As far as next year is concerned we've got 85% more bookings this year to date than was the case 12 months ago and we're seeing that at all times of year as well. It's not just in July and August with the families, it's a lot of couples who choose to holiday with us on our parks.
"The holidays that are booking up the quickest are months like May, June and September which is very encouraging."
Bookings have doubled this year
Last year the company booked in £1.1 million worth of bookings, so far this year they have booked £2 million so people are choosing to book holidyas earlier than they have done in the past.
They expect next year to be busier and Neil says they aren't able to create anymore holidays so if people don't get in early then they will be disappointed.
"At this stage in the year most people don't see an immediate need to book next years holiday but a lot of people want their first choice so are putting a deposit down for one.
"In terms of bookings, June is the most popular month next year, 18% of the bookings for next year are for that month, followed by 16% of bookings for September and May.
"That just shows that it's a broad range of parties who are choosing to come back, we know that is a mixture of couples and families because in peak season typically our average number of people is 5 per holiday home, the average for next year is three and a half."
Change in the amount of days people will staycation for next year
Waterside are expecting 'staycationers' to holiday for less days in the UK next year, they recognise that people won't come back for a seven or 14 day holiday for summer 2022.
Neil says it is because there will be more choice available "They may choose to go on a European city break as an alternative or choose a cruise or something else, other than holiday here in the South West.
"That means people will be looking for short breaks, it does enable us to welcome more people to our parks as it will only be for three or four night breaks and that is certainly something that we are planning for."