Political unrest in the Middle East could boost domestic UK travel and recruitment, according to James Tucker, operations manager for hospitality and catering recruiter Towngate Personnel.

Tucker says: “We do a lot of recruitment for clients in the Channel Islands, for instance, and they’re expecting a much better year this year.

“A few weeks ago you couldn’t get into or out of the country because of the bad weather, so you can see how taking a holiday at home – a stay-cation if you like – could suddenly look attractive to anyone planning their holidays.

“We had a very good January and did twice the business we did this time last year. You have to take it as a positive sign and it would be nice to think it’s pointing the way to a good year for the domestic tourism industry throughout the UK.”