Holidaymakers planning trips to Scotland as staycation boom to continue

dailyrecord.co.uk:

More than half of holidaymakers said they are likely to plan a trip in Scotland this year as staycations continue to boom, a new survey found.

Around 53 per cent of Scots planning holidays said they intended to take one in their own country, while 44 per cent are heading to England for a break.

In 2021, more than 60 per cent of domestic trips in Scotland were taken by Scots residents. And tourism bosses said it is 'fantastic to see this interest continue in 2022' - despite the relaxation of international restrictions.

The Highlands are the most popular destination of choice anywhere for people in their 40s and 50s, the findings suggest. Some 60 per cent planning a holiday are hoping to jet off abroad.Spain, the United States, France, Greece, Italy and Turkey are among the most popular destinations outwith the UK, a survey found.Around 1,000 people were surveyed this month, with more than a quarter of those planning a holiday plotting a trip over Easter.Some 40 per cent suggested May or June for a trip, while 45 per cent mentioned July or August as their preferred choice.London was second only to the Highlands as the most popular destination in the UK.Jim Eccleston, managing partner at market research firm 56 Degree Insight, said: "These results provide some cautious grounds for optimism for Scotland's tourism industry as it prepares for what remains another uncertain year."It's encouraging that holidays are back on the agenda for many Scots, with three in five actively considering where to take them this year."However, this still represents a dampening on pre-pandemic volumes when closer to four in five would be hoping to take a holiday."For the outbound industry, there's also some cause for some optimism, with