COVID-19 Vaccine Sparks Interest In Domestic Travel Plans With Family Visits Topping The List

The first place Brits will travel once the COVID-19 vaccine is available is to see their friends and family, new research from London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has revealed. 

According to the poll by LNER (London North Eastern Railway), 38 per cent of Brits are encouraged by the news of a COVID vaccine earlier this week, and as a result said they are much more likely to consider travelling in the next three to six months. This positive response from the public will help to fuel the return of domestic tourism in the UK.

The news of the COVID-19 vaccine has encouraged Brits to consider where they might head to first, with 48 per cent champing at the bit to visit friends and family in the UK. Spending almost a year in restrictions and lockdowns hasn’t sparked love, with just 14 per cent eager to travel for a romantic getaway.

Almost a quarter (24 per cent) said as soon as a vaccine is available they will be hot-footing it on holiday, with only 11 per cent saying they would consider booking a trip abroad once vaccinated, preferring to stay closer to home. The research has shown that it’s the great British outdoors that is top of the list for a post-vaccine trip.

Topping the list of where people want to head to first is the Lake District for a walking trip (31 per cent). This was closely followed by devouring a traditional cream tea in Cornwall with 28 per cent of the vote, followed by taking in the fresh air and spectacular views of the Scottish Highlands (22 per cent), as part of Brits’ travel ambitions for 2021.

When asked where UK residents are at their happiest, 22 per cent loved nothing better than a blustery walk on the beach on the Devon coast. A more cosmopolitan one in five (20 per cent) would prefer to attend a glittering West End show in the big smoke.

Eating an ice-cream on Brighton’s famous beach (16 per cent), going shopping in the historic city of Bath (13 per cent) and visiting York’s famous Minster (12 per cent) also made the list, along with eating fish and chips in Suffolk (12 per cent) and drinking a pint of bitter in a picturesque Yorkshire pub (12 per cent).

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER said: “It’s been a challenging year for all of us, but with news of the vaccine emerging this week, our research highlights just how eager people are to get back out discovering.

“It's encouraging to see the appetite to explore the UK with the history and sights we have available. The vaccine will encourage explorers to come and find castles, cathedrals and coastlines on home soil.”

TOP 10 UK HOLIDAY ‘HAPPY PLACES’ 

1. Walking in the Lake District - 31%
2. Enjoying a cream tea in Cornwall - 28%
3. Breathing in the fresh air in the Scottish Highlands - 22%
4. Having a long windy beach walk in Devon - 22%
5. Catching a show in the West End of London - 20%
6. Eating ice cream on the beach in Brighton - 16%
7. Shopping and visiting the Roman Baths in Bath - 13%
8. Visiting York Minster - 12%
9. Eating fish and chips from the wrapper in Suffolk - 12%
10. Having a pint of bitter in Yorkshire - 12%