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Three quarters of UK travellers aim to take a ‘staycation’ over the August bank holiday weekend, according to new research.
Twelve of the top 50 destinations are located on the UK coast with Blackpool, Bournemouth and Brighton in the top 20, based on searches made between August 28-31 on online travel website Trivago.
But some seaside locations have little hotel availability remaining with Skegness full, Whitby and Weymouth both having just 1% availability remaining and Newquay 4%.
Despite the popularity of these destinations, hoteliers have refrained from increasing their prices, according to the hotel search site.
A stay in Whitby will cost the same as the monthly average of £101 this bank holiday, while prices in Weymouth and Skegness are both up by 9% to £98 and £72 per night, respectively.
A hotel in Newquay will cost 15% less than the monthly average this bank holiday – £106 compared to £124.
The majority of hotel price increases appear to be in city destinations with Liverpool prices up by 47% from an average of £86 per night during August to £126 over the bank holiday weekend.
Prices have also increased in Brighton (up 33% to £153) and Manchester (up 32% to £125).
Barcelona is the only non-UK destination with large increases with rates up by 38% from £108 to £149 over the bank holiday weekend.
A Trivago spokeswoman said: “Despite the ambiguous weather conditions, UK holidaymakers are clearly hopeful for a sunny August bank holiday, with three in four searches for a hotel in the UK and 12 of the top 50 destinations located on the coast.
‘Those still needing to book their hotel should consider destinations where prices remain low and availability remains high.
“This is the second time this summer we have noted a strong trend towards taking a ‘staycation’ rather than travelling abroad.
“During the heatwave at the end of June and beginning of July, searches to UK coastal destinations increased by 64% compared to the week before.”