FAMILIES desperate for a holiday in Cornwall this summer have already been put on waiting lists due to demand.
Cornwall Tourism boss Malcom Bell warned that Brits are so desperate that they are asking fully booked destinations to contact them for cancellations.
He told Sun Online Travel: "The demand is there – there are lots of people asking to be put on waiting lists for self-catered places.
"People are phoning up, saying 'I know you are fully booked but will you take my phone number in case something comes up in July?'"
"I am predicting we will be full up."
Staycation holidays are already seeing huge surges in popularity again, similar to last year, due to the number of travel restrictions being enforced for a holiday abroad.
Currently, all Brits must have a negative Covid test and Passenger Locator Form to enter the country, as well as quarantine for 10 days.
New rules will soon enforce three negative Covid tests from passengers, as well as a mandatory hotel quarantine from high-risk countries – all at the expense of the traveller.
This has resulted in a boom for British destination holidays including Cornwall, Devon and the Lake District.
Easter bookings have already soared in price – holiday parks including Center Parcs, Butlins and Haven are seeing prices jump as much as £1,520.
Red Paxton, Director of Habitat Escapes holiday rentals says there has been a surge in bookings for the Cotswolds and Dorset, and an increase of 56 per cent in holiday bookings in January 2021 compared to last year.
Families are wanting to get in their holiday in the UK in case their trip abroad can't go ahead – Mr Bell added that travellers including people with motorhomes are booking their six weeks in Cornwall instead of France.
He added: "Flights might be cheap but I don't think you will find anything else cheap.
"It will take a couple of years to work its way back to normal position."
Pitchup.com's Dan Yates says it is best to book before the government announce an end to the lockdown date – as this is when holidays will surge again.
He explained: "In June last year, campsites opened – as soon as that speech happened, 10 days before the opening date, our bookings quadrupled.
"We had one booking every three seconds. People will want to secure their best spot, so we expect the same when lockdown ends this time around."
Some MPs have been wary about offering any hope for a holiday abroad this summer, instead suggesting a UK staycation could be a safer bet.
Minister of State for Universities Michelle Donelan said: "I certainly won't be booking any summer holidays yet. I think it is a little bit too early. But we can all hope and dream that we will be able to get that summer vacation."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he had booked his summer holiday to Cornwall this year, suggesting families could look forward to a "Great British summer".
We've rounded up some of the best deals for summer holidays.
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