Downturn boosts UK travel

Tue, 10 Feb 2009

The economic downturn is boosting the UK holiday market, according to travel recruiters.

Following holiday park Pontin’s announcement that it is to create 2,000 new jobs, Barbara Kolosinska, director at c and m, told Recruiter: “It is fantastic that they are creating these new jobs. The vacancies will be across the different parks. It will be anything from sales, entertainers to cooks.

“It is great news for UK tourism because a lot of people are not going overseas. People are watching their pennies. They are going to be staying in the UK. It will benefit all UK tourism. Hotels and parks are going to get busier.”

Ian Brooks, director at Gail Kenny Executive Search, adds: “UK domestic tourism is resurgent thanks to the downturn in the economy, and sterling’s fall. However, the job impact is likely to be temporary due to the shortness of the UK summer season.

“Temporary workers will get the biggest boost. I also predict a resurgence in overseas holidays as we get closer to the summer, as people lose confidence in the predictability of the UK weather. I suspect the euro is now overvalued, so a swing back in favour of sterling could also encourage late bookings for the summer.”