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Tourists are facing paying more for a seaside break in the UK this summer as demand for holidays drives up the cost of accommodation by an average of 35% compared to last year.
A study by the consumer group What? Prices quoted have been increased in 10 of the UK’s most visited beach destinations, including St Ives, Whitby, Llandudno and Brighton.
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‘Great uncertainty’ around holidays abroad
Below Boris johnsonroadmap to facilitate coronavirus Lockdown restrictions, people in England could be allowed to stay in self-contained accommodation, such as holiday rentals from April 12.
Meanwhile, vacations abroad, which may be allowed from May 17, will likely involve restrictions and conditions such as COVID-19 periods of probation and self-isolation.
Comes like Cyprus It said it will allow British tourists who have received both doses of COVID vaccination to enter the country without restrictions from May 1.
However, the continuing uncertainty about overseas travel has led many people to book domestic vacations this year, driving up the price.
Investigators of which? analyzed the prices of a total of 15 properties on the accommodation booking platforms Airbnb and Vrbo.
They found that the cost of stays in July and August is typically 35% higher now than if the equivalent dates from last summer had been booked during May and June 2020.
A snapshot of price increases by location from Summer 2020 to 2021:
Brighton: £ 53 per night – £ 127 per night (140%)
Eastbourne: £ 409 for seven nights – £ 696 (70%)
St Ives: £ 860 for seven nights – £ 1,263 (47%)
Llandudno: £ 427 for seven nights – £ 596 (40%)
Bournemouth: £ 722 for seven nights – £ 958 (33%)
Swanage: £ 652 for seven nights – £ 840 (29%)
Scarborough: £ 609 for seven nights – £ 693 (14%)
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Hancock booked vacation amid ‘uncertainty’
A one-bedroom duplex in Brighton had the largest profit margin, increasing the price from £ 53 per night to £ 127 per night, an increase of 140%.
The cost of a week stay at a property in Llandudno has risen from £ 427 to £ 596, while seven nights at a property in St Ives has risen from £ 860 to £ 1,263.
However, some price increases were more modest, with a one-bedroom cabin in Scarborough only 7% more expensive this summer.
Hosts on Airbnb set prices and cleaning fees for properties listed on the platform, and the company said price increases are highlighted by What? they were “isolated examples.”
Vrbo said it “does not set, change or influence the prices of properties a host chooses,” adding that tourists agree on prices before booking.
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Which? is encouraging consumers who book a stay to choose an accommodation provider that has committed to offering full cash refunds or reservation changes free of charge if a trip cannot continue due to the coronavirus.
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel said: “Many tourists are eager to finally hit the beach this summer, so it is perhaps not a surprise that high demand has sent prices to some destinations skyrocketing as well.
“If people are willing to pay more for their summer vacation this year, it is essential that they know that their money will be protected or will be returned without problems in case they cannot travel as planned.
“Make sure you choose a provider that offers fair and flexible booking conditions, so that you are not chasing a refund if something goes wrong.”
