Finances dictate 22% of ‘staycation’ holidays

More than one in five of those people opting for a “staycation” holiday in Ireland this year are doing so for financial reasons.

As the recession continues to bite, a survey by MyHome.ie shows that 28% of Irish people are taking their main holiday at home this year, while 39% are going abroad, down from 53% two years ago.

However, just 9% of the 2,000 people surveyed said they would not be taking any holiday this year, down from 13% last year.

About 24% of people said they would be splitting their main holiday between Ireland and a foreign destination, up 4% on last year.

This may be due to people taking in the upcoming European Football Championship in Poland, as well as a growing trend of people splitting their main holiday between a short break away and another in Ireland.

Value for money continues to be the main consideration for Irish holiday-makers, with more than 37% saying it is the key factor in deciding destination.

The other factors people consider are location (21%), weather (16%), and activities on offer (14%), with 9% seeking pure relaxation.

Price awareness is to the fore for those opting for a staycation. About 22% of this group said they were holidaying here due to personal financial reasons, 18% said it was to avail of the value-for-money offers in Ireland, and 15% said it was to support the local economy.