TOURISM businesses in Huddersfield are hoping for a bumper summer.
They hope that surveys which suggested Britons want to “holiday at home” will come true.
The research revealed that 44 % of those questioned said they were most likely to take a break in the UK and 70 % said their holiday plans were effected by the recession
The survey had asked 2,000 people what were their top reasons for a holiday and what type of holiday they planned.
About 44 % said the stress of everyday life was the main reason for wanting to go on holiday. Some 32% said they were tempted by last minute deals and 22 % said the economic downturn was getting them down.
Yorkshire Tourist Board is planning to spend £30m on marketing the region this year as a destination for people to holiday at home.
Hazel and Phillip Peaker have owned Holme Valley Camping and Caravan Park near Thongsbridge since 1986. They are expecting this Easter and summer to be busy.
Hazel said: “We are always booked up for Easter, come what may, and we are expecting it to be even busier this year.
“We are already booked until end of May.
“We get people visiting their families, or who want to explore the Peak District and the Pennine Yorkshire. A lot of our customers come from further afield.
“I hope we are one of the few businesses that will benefit from the recession”.
In Huddersfield, the owners of the Central Lodge Hotel expect summer to be busier.
The 4-star hotel is has been run by the Marsden family since 1999.
Joe Marsden, one of the owners said: “Last Easter was pretty good but bookings this year are not a good as last year.
“But because of the ecomonic downturn I can see a big increase this summer.
“Yorkshire has alot to offer and we are in the heart of Yorkshire.”
The hotel receives a lot of commercial guests visiting local firms from abroad. They also receive visitors who come to visit Huddersfield Town Hall for concerts, the National Coal Mining Museum and Bronte Country.
The Last of the Summer Wine programme also made Central Lodge popular as it is used by the BBC to accomodate their filming unit.
The programme, the world’s longest-running comedy series, still attracts many visitors to the Holme Valley and to Holmfirth in particular.
Kirklees Tourism officers are being cautious about what to expect.
Tracy Commons, Tourism Officer for Kirklees said: “The recession hasn’t increased tourism in Kirklees drastically, although general occupancy at camping and caravan sites in the area may have increased slightly”.
