Indian Summer drives September staycation boom in Wales

The British holiday season is getting longer, according to data from the UK’s leading holiday park operator. Bookings for September and October at Parkdean Resorts’ 66 holiday parks are 44% higher than pre-COVID levels, and Wales is one of the most popular destinations for bookings.

With holiday parks consistently full during summer holidays, more people are booking their getaways later, capitalising on lower prices and hoping for an Indian Summer – and with temperatures hitting 30C this week, Parkdean anticipates a surge of last-minute bookings.

For the first three weeks of September, several parks have only a few spaces left, including Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire, which is at 90% capacity, while Parkdean’s four parks across South and West Wales – Trecco Bay, Pendine Sands, Carmarthen Bay and Brynowen, are at 86% capacity overall.

Across the UK, week-by-week bookings throughout September and October are up at least 32% compared with 2019 bookings. Compared with 2019, the week of 23rd September is +72%, the week of 30th September is +61%, and October half-term is +42%.

Xavier Vallee, Chief Customer Officer, Parkdean Resorts, said: “September bookings began to really take off in 2020 when aeroplanes couldn’t, and with the recent

Air Traffic Control issues denting people’s faith once again in air travel, demand for our parks is continuing to soar.

“People fell back in love with the Great British holiday when they couldn’t travel abroad during COVID, and this September, couples, empty-nesters and young families will be flocking to our parks in record numbers. After a summer of international travel chaos, domestic tourism remains a popular and trusted option for Brits looking for a fun, value for money and hassle-free holiday.”

Research carried out by Parkdean Resorts earlier this summer found that almost half the population are taking more domestic holidays than in previous years. With 44% of Brits taking more UK holidays, and only 23% taking fewer, Parkdean Resorts estimates that 14.2m more Brits could visit UK destinations this year – a welcome boost to local economies in tourist hotspots.

Providing further encouragement for the hospitality sector in coastal communities, Parkdean’s own data has found that guests are spending on average 9% more while on holiday this year, compared to last year – proof that people are still willing to treat themselves on holiday, despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.