Survey by budget hotel chain Travelodge says Highlands will be the most popular rural holiday destination for Scots this summer, as people stay in the UK amid the ongoing global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic
THE Highlands are the most popular likely rural holiday destination for Scots this summer, new research by hotel giant Travelodge has claimed.
The budget hotelier said that the Highlands topped the list of preferred rural areas in the UK in which to holiday after surveying 2000 people across Britain.
Among the Scots quizzed on their holiday plans, more than half – 55 per cent – said they still intended to take a summer holiday this year despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on travel.
In response to such fears, Travelodge found that 83 per cent of Scots who do plan to holiday will be sticking in British shores this summer.
On average, Scots are planning to spend £744.79 on their 'Summercation' this year, which collectively equates to a boost of £1.5 billion for the UK economy from British holidaymakers. The study also revealed Scots are taking a late 'Summercation' this year and have planned to take their holiday in August and September with the hope that restrictions will be eased further by then.
Research findings also revealed that 40 per cent of Scots are taking more UK short breaks this year as they are not planning to go abroad. Over half of Scots are planning to take around two UK short breaks throughout 2020.
And more than a third - 38 per cent - are planning a rural break, with the Highlands proving the most popular destination, with the Peak District and Lake District coming in behind them.
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman, said: “The results from our 2020 Holiday Index report does show a glimmer of green shoots for our tourism industry with more Scots planning to holiday across the length and breadth of the UK this summer."
The firm added that it has launched a new Covid-19 safety programme to protect customers and staff as their various hotels reopen. It has also released more than one million rooms for £28.99 or less across the UK in a bid to drive up demand following the lockdown.
