More opting for the 'resort UK'

Jul 4 2003 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

It's holiday time. The time of year when it's usually difficult to find colleagues in the country, never mind in the office.

This year, however, an island with golden beaches, miles of unspoilt countryside and friendly natives is attracting more UK residents than ever before.

The dream destination is Britain, where tourism numbers are booming because of increasing numbers of stay-at-home holidaymakers.

The huge rise in popularity of our country as a holiday resort is no doubt a reaction to concern about international terrorist attacks.

However, it's also a tribute to the fun, sun and something for everyone approach of our tourist centres. We've managed to tackle everything except the British weather.

It says a lot for the UK that it's successfully turning round perceptions of costly hotels, poor service and dodgy weather forecasts to persuade so many of us to enjoy home-grown delights - in particular the Lakes, Cornwall and Scotland. Last year UK residents spent £13.25bn on holidays in England - an average of more than £200 a person - and apparently the figures are set to leap.

Three in four Britons who spent last summer abroad will take their main holiday in England this year.

I'm impressed with the ingenious range of short breaks on offer whatever the time of year, where you can be as adventurous or lazy as you like. Pampering weekends, sports breaks, take your pet hotels, see the stars, the shops, the shows have all been created to allow you to sample new places near at hand until you're holidayed out.

Resorts such as Brighton have reinvented themselves with "boutique hotels". Blackpool is planning landscaped approaches, casinos, and upmarket leisure pools and marketing itself as a year-round resort.

Whitley Bay has similar ambitions. It's set to transform itself into an upmarket resort with a new shopping mall and the redevelopment of the Spanish City.

Alnwick Garden is breaking records by the month. Hadrian's Wall trail, Beamish and our outstanding beaches are all spectacular successes.

And with each of us who holidays here, UK business profits. Another reason, perhaps, to visit what the Lonely Planet guide calls "quite simply one of the most beautiful islands on earth".

* Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm