The prolonged UK heatwave meant people holidayed at home in record numbers this summer, according to Hoseasons.
The self-catering operator raised peak season capacity by 10% as web traffic surged 13% in terms of both sessions and users.
An “unprecedented” rise in demand for late breaks prompted by the good weather helped drive a 7% year-on-year increase in total bookings over the school summer holidays.
Demand for Hoseasons cottages rose by 28%, luxury lodges with hot tubs 13%, active holidays 10%, coastal breaks 5% and third party bookings – including agents – up 8%.
Cornwall, Devon and Yorkshire attracted the greatest number of holidaymakers, with 12%, 11% and 8% of the company’s total bookings respectively.
Cumbria and Norfolk also made it into the self-catering company’s top five, with Somerset, Lincolnshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset and Clwyd making up the top ten.
Hoseasons managing director revenue, Simon Altham, said the breadth of destinations people visited across the UK, during what was the company’s eighth record summer in a row, is an indication of the strength of the domestic tourism industry.
“Few will be surprised that Devon and Cornwall led the way when it came to the summer staycation this year – they are the obvious draw when it comes to sun, sand and everything that’s good about the Great British getaway,” he said.
“What the figures do show though is that more than three quarters of our business was for bookings across the rest of the UK.
“There’s been huge investment in accommodation and facilities in all the counties listed in our top ten over the last few years, so it’s great to see that commitment to quality translating into bookings.”