Recession 'making UK holidays more popular'

British people are reportedly showing an increasing demand for UK ferry breaks and other domestic travel options as a result of the recession, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Amir Girgis, an economist with the WTTC, said that rather than depriving themselves of a holiday, people are simply looking at ways of making them cheaper.

This has led to an increase in campaigns for holidays within the UK, which are being supported by the current exchange rate situation, according to Mr Girgis.

"You see more promotions for domestic travel here because there is a market due to the weakened exchange rate and due to the recession," he said.

"People want cheaper holidays. People still want to travel and that is the difference between this recession and any other blips we have had in the travel and tourism industry."

Irish Ferries is one of the companies seeking to take advantage of higher interest in travel within the UK and Ireland, having recently launched discount fares on its Pembroke to Rosslare and Holyhead to Dublin ferry routes.

People planning domestic breaks can also catch ferries from Stranraer to Belfast with Stena Line or sail to the Shetland Islands with NorthLink Ferries.

Written by Mark Robinson