The pandemic may have stifled the traditional European jaunt, but it has also provided a boon for domestic tourism. While the actual word ‘staycation’ may be loathed by grammar purists, and ‘localiday’ is still a work in progress by others, the fundamental concept is very much in vogue.
“We’re all packing our bags, bundling our families and dogs into the car and, instead of heading abroad, we’re heading down the road or into a neighbouring county to explore the gems within our own coastlines that we’ve perhaps overlooked for so long,” says Michael Caines, who runs Devon’s luxury hotel and restaurant Lympstone Manor.
“While many of us as travellers have previously been quick to seek the sun and warmer climates, now we’re appreciating the evergreen beauty and patchwork fields, diverse shorelines and sandy beaches of England – let alone its wealth of culture and history."
“As business owners, we’d be wise to put those personal experiences front and centre, like never before,”
says Michael.
“If we’re travelling closer to home in our personal lives, that’s what we should be mindful of in our professional lives, too. For tourism, travel and hospitality, it has probably never been more important."
“We're getting the opportunity to discover new places and rediscover memories of old. The nostalgia we feel from going to places we once visited as children, and to now recreate those memories with the next generation, is such an amazing opportunity – and one we should be encouraging not just as individual businesses, but as a business community."
“As the old adage goes: a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’.”
