Clacton sees surge in searches for hotel rooms
The seaside resort could see a big boost this summer as holidays abroad remain off-limits for many
Clacton has seen the biggest rise in Google searches in the UK - as people look for British holiday spots.
There's been a 175 per cent increase in people looking for hotels, as travel restrictions remain in place for many usual favourite spots abroad.
Tendring District Council say they're expecting a boost this summer, as the town celebrates 150 years.
Alex Porter, Tendring District Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, welcomed the increase:
"The Essex Sunshine Coast has always been, and remains, a popular choice for Brits looking to holiday closer to home, and we are confident that will be further boosted by people who eschew a foreign trip as foreign travel restrictions continue due to Covid-19," Cllr Porter said.
"This presents exciting opportunities for Tendring around tourism; what we must do, working together as a district, is to remind people how great Tendring is. What we want is for people to visit this year, and while they are here show them why they should come back year after year.
"That is why tourism, and our programme of Celebrate Tendring events for 2021 - from the Clacton 150 Flypast with the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, to Octopus Ahoy, and our Clacton 150 and Mayflower 400 heritage trails - is such an important part of our Back to Business programme; and why we will do what we can to support our leisure and hospitality industry."
Where else is proving popular?
Colwyn Bay in Wales (140%), Herne Bay in Kent (140%), Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire (140%), and Ramsgate in Kent (132%), were the other big winners as holiday shoppers searched for hotels in UK seaside resorts.
Major UK tourist destinations such as Brighton and Blackpool have also benefitted, with searches for accommodation increasing by 74,500 and more than 60,000 respectively in May.
Rich Himsworth, CEO of Salesfire**, explained the findings:**
"The trend of holiday makers booking flights and hotels online is nothing new, although historically this traffic has primarily been towards destinations in Europe and across the world.
"The ongoing uncertainty around travel and quickly changing restrictions have reversed this trend and hotels, as well as tourist destinations, bars and restaurants, across the country are now benefitting from a huge surge in interest for a getaway to the UK's coastal towns and resorts.
"It's not only the most famous seaside destinations such as Blackpool and Brighton that are seeing a rise in searches. Many smaller locations witnessing unprecedented demand for accommodation, which is great news for British seaside towns!"