The UK tourism industry is tipped to receive a staggering £1.5 billion boost this year as more people than ever decide not to travel abroad for their summer holiday, spelling good news not only for a recession hit economy but also seaside property markets.

The number of people planning a “staycation” – holidaying in your home country – has risen by 6% from last year to 41%, according to a recent Travelodge survey of 5,000 British adults with Cornwall, dubbed the ´English Riviera´, and neighbouring Devon the most popular destinations.

Despite the glorious English summer failing to make an appearance yet again this year, British holidaymakers haven´t been put off. Patriotic to their roots, millions showed the love of their land during the Queen´s Jubilee weekend earlier this month and there is no doubt that the impending Olympic Games in London are causing many to stay on home soil, keen to not miss a minute of the excitement.

And so with nearly half of Britons due to take their holidays in the UK this summer, property experts are predicting a bumper season for vacation home rentals. One such expert is Nick Spence, Director of established holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, which operates the West Beach Resort in North Devon; Nick comments,

“There has always been great demand for holiday homes in the South West but this year, due to the staycation phenomenon, we are expecting even higher occupancy levels. As a new resort, we had forecast 65% occupancy for West Beach Resort, just 50m from Westward Ho! beach in 2012 but after being fully booked for the Jubilee weekend and reservations coming in thick and fast for the summer holidays, I expect our average occupancy levels to reach 85% or more this year.

“Our luxury 2 bedroom apartments with direct sea views rent for up to £1,100 per week in high season with tenants typically being couples, families with young children, golfers looking to test their handicaps on the oldest links course in the country, Royal North Devon golf course or surfers keen to access to the world class surf and North Devon Surf Club just minutes away in Westward Ho!”

In addition to a thriving rental market, purchasing a seaside property such as an apartment at West Beach Devon offers strong capital gains potential. According to data from the Halifax, seaside towns in England and Wales have seen property prices double since 2002 with Devon ranked one of the top 10 richest counties in the UK with a net property worth of £121.3 billion (PrimeLocation.com).

Nick Spence continues:

“With better weather, some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, Blue Flag award winning beaches and a whole host of activities for all the family, it is no wonder than demand remains high for second homes in Devon. For many investors a turn-key property such as West Beach Devon presents the ideal opportunity to own a luxury apartment in a prime location which is ready to rent out to a proven and established market. Plus where else can you own a home with a direct sea view for under £200,000?!”  

The luxury apartments of West Beach Devon have been designed to create home comfort living just yards from the beach. Complete with under-floor heating, modern fitted kitchen and bathroom, WiFi, flat screen TVs and DVD players the 2 bedroom apartments can be purchased from £189,950.

For more information on the luxury apartments in Westward Ho! contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com.

Adding even more excitement and anticipation to this summer holiday season, the prestigious Blue Flag organisation has awarded English beaches a record number of accolades for 2012 – 79, an increase of 9 over last year.

The 2012 Good Beach Guide has just been released and it’s all smiles in North Devon as Westward Ho! beach has been awarded the top gold rating.

A recent report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has highlighted that Britain will be more reliant on travel and tourism this year, seeing jobs and economic growth in the industry outstrip the wider economy thanks to highly anticipated global events such as the Queens Jubilee and London Olympic Games.

Indeed, while the report estimates that the travel and tourism sector will grow by 1.3% in 2012 further figures released by VisitEngland, the national tourist board, has revealed that Britain’s domestic numbers were on the up last year, receiving over 104 million domestic overnight trips in England, an increase of 9% compared to 2010 and the highest number of trips since the survey began in 2006.

Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, comments,

“Seeing as this is the third consecutive year that the number of domestic vacation trips has remained above pre-recession stages, it is obvious that the ‘staycation’ trend is still going strong in the UK.

“VisitEngland’s ‘Staycation Tracker’ reveals that that the majority of UK dwellers who had a holiday at home last year had a great experience with 85% stating that they had an excellent holiday while 78% believed that their holiday at home offered excellent value for money. Indeed, if we look towards this year and the myriad of events that will be taking place throughout the UK, domestic tourism will be at its greatest.”

While it appears that Brits are becoming more eager to discover what awaits them on their own doorsteps, it has been suggested that in terms of location the South West stands to gain most from this year’s tourism boost according to Prime Minister David Cameron who explained: “I hope the region will take a lead not just in welcoming the [Olympic] torch, but also in getting behind the Games and making sure 2012 is not just a great year for Britain, but a great year for the South West too.”

Meanwhile, data from VisitEngland (2011) has also identified that the largest number of domestic visitor trips in 2010 took place in south west England, equating to some 19.2 million trips and £3.6 million in spend.

Nick Spence continues,

“It’s not surprising that most domestic visitor trips take place in south west England given the appeal of sunny weather, fishing villages and pretty coastal retreats. The second homes market in the south west of England is one of the strongest with the number of holiday or second homes in the UK reaching, 246,494 in 2011 according to Primelocation.com. And, to tie in with the governments “Holidays at Home are GREAT” campaign, we are offering the 20.12% discount on our wonderful ‘staycations’ in the stunning south west area of Westward Ho!”

For those who are considering a ‘staycation’ this year why not make a luxurious apartment at Westbeach Devon your new holiday home?

Located in the North Devon tourist hotspot of Westward Ho, Westbeach Devon offers luxury apartments with dazzling sea views, close to the new village green and signature restaurants.

Phase I of the luxurious holiday resort, the ideal location for a UK break, is already complete and operational while increasing client demand has led phase II to now been released with 160 two bedroom executive apartments just 50m from one of Devon’s best loved beaches available from just £189,950.

Westbeach Devon offers the perfect lifestyle investment opportunity in an established UK tourist destination, from a developer with a clear track record, offering guaranteed returns plus a secure exit strategy, available with an exceptionally low deposit of10%.

For more information please contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com.

Expenditure by tourists in the UK in 2011 was at an all-time high of £125 billion according to a recent UK Tourism Statistics report by the Tourism Alliance.

The report highlights that the UK is the 6th largest international tourism destination ranked by visitor numbers and 7th in terms of visitor expenditure. Interestingly, data within the report compiled by VisitEngland also reveals that over 50% of the total revenue generated from tourists originates from day visitors, spending £53.8 billion while only £17.6 billion derives from inbound tourists.

Nevertheless, when it comes to inbound tourism, data from the International Passenger Survey, Office for National Statistics as featured in the report highlights that on average, inbound tourists stay a length of 7.6 days in the UK and spend an average of £580 per visit, with total visitor spend on leisure standing at £6.6 billion in 2010.

Nick Spence, Director of established UK holiday home company, Green Parks Holidays Ltd, comments,

“While inbound tourism brings in vast monetary opportunities, domestic tourism delivers even more. In comparison to inbound visitors, domestic tourists spent £12.1 billion in 2010 according to the GB Tourism Survey 2011 by VisitEngland. This year is all about promoting what the UK has to offer whether that is the Olympic Games or the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as other amazing events throughout the UK. Domestic tourism has already grown by 14% and with this in mind, we are encouraging UK residents to consider all the perks of a British ‘staycation’ this year.”

Meanwhile, data from the GB Tourism Survey compiled by VisitEngland (2011) as used in the report has identified that the largest number of domestic visitor trips in 2010 took place in south west England, some 19.2 million trips with £3.6 million in spend.

Nick Spence continues,

“It’s not surprising that most domestic visitor trips take place in south west England. The appeal of balmy weather, thatched cottages, fishing villages and pretty coastal retreats make for the perfect ‘staycation’. With this in mind, the second homes market in the south west of England is one of the strongest with the number of holiday or second homes in the UK reaching, 246,494 in 2011 according to Primelocation.com. And, to tie in with the governments “Holidays at Home are GREAT” campaign, we are offering the 20.12% discount on our wonderful ‘staycations’ in Westward Ho!”

For those who are considering a ‘staycation’ this year why not make a luxurious apartment at Westbeach Devon your new holiday home?

Located in the North Devon tourist hotspot of Westward Ho, Westbeach Devon offers luxury apartments with superb sea views, close to the new village green and signature restaurants.

Phase I of the luxurious holiday resort, the ideal location for a UK break, is already complete while increasing client demand has led phase II has now been released with 160 two bedroom executive apartments just 50m from one of Devon’s best loved beaches available from £189,950.

Westbeach Devon offers the perfect lifestyle investment opportunity in an established UK tourist destination, from a developer with a clear track record, offering guaranteed returns plus a secure exit strategy, available with an exceptionally low deposit of10%.

For more information please contact West Beach Devon on 0844 414 2670 or visit www.westbeachsales.com.