Pitchup.com reports record UK bookings after Spain restrictions announced

Outdoor accommodation booking platform Pitchup.com said it saw its highest ever booking day for the UK on Sunday, the day after the government removed Spain from its ‘safe’ list of destinations. It registered more than 6,100 individual bookings representing 18,000 holidaymakers, nearly a fifth more than the previous Sunday – and almost double last year’s … Continue reading Pitchup.com reports record UK bookings after Spain restrictions announced →

Outdoor accommodation booking platform Pitchup.com said it saw its highest ever booking day for the UK on Sunday, the day after the government removed Spain from its ‘safe’ list of destinations.

It registered more than 6,100 individual bookings representing 18,000 holidaymakers, nearly a fifth more than the previous Sunday – and almost double last year’s record booking day. In July this year, UK bookings were up 48%.

Pitchup.com, which lists 2,000 UK campsites, said owners of the Spanish sites it lists were in “uproar” at news of the UK government’s decision over the weekend.

Founder Dan Yates said: “For many who were just starting to consider booking a trip abroad this is probably the nail in the coffin, with the change in regulations fundamentally damaging consumer confidence to travel overseas.

“The tightened financial climate means British holidaymakers are unlikely to take the risk of not being able to work when they return which has likely been the catalyst for this weekend’s surge in UK bookings.

“Whilst safety is paramount, the tourism and hospitality sector has been decimated by Covid and our Spanish site owners are in uproar. They believe a more localised approach which focuses on quarantine in the specific regions which have been affected by the Covid peaks would have been a more appropriate and effective response by the UK government.”

Yates added: “This is however good news for domestic campsites and caravan parks as thousands will substitute a UK holiday for their usual one abroad.

“The ever changing guidance is likely to cause mass confusion and concern among Brits, with many likely to elect to play it safe and staying closer to home this year.”