Revealed: Biggest increase in staycation accommodation searches is for hotels in Clacton-on-Sea, followed by Colwyn Bay, Herne Bay and Mablethorpe

Britons do like to be beside the seaside, especially, it would seem, if it’s at Clacton-on-Sea.

There was a 175 per cent increase in Google searches for hotels in the Essex resort in April and May, the biggest surge of 50 seaside towns analysed across the UK.

Colwyn Bay in Wales, Herne Bay in Kent and Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire all came joint-second in the ranking, with each seeing an accommodation search increase of 140 per cent.

Britons do like to be beside the seaside, especially, it would seem, if it’s at Clacton-on-Sea

Ramsgate, Kent, meanwhile, saw a 131.58 per cent increase in hotel searches, Broadstairs in Kent a 127.59 per cent uptick, along with Exmouth in Devon and Worthing in West Sussex, while searches for properties in Ayr, Scotland, and Cromer in Norfolk were up by 125 per cent.

The analysis was conducted by e-commerce and travel retail specialist Salesfire, which reported that accommodation searches also rose steeply for Brighton and Blackpool, by 74,500 and more than 60,000 respectively.

Colwyn Bay in Wales saw an accommodation search increase of 140 per cent

Herne Bay in Kent came joint second in the hotel search ranking 

TOP 10 INCREASES IN HOTEL SEARCHES 

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex – 175.00%

Colwyn Bay, Wales – 140.00%

Herne Bay, Kent – 140.00%

Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire – 140.00%

Ramsgate, Kent – 131.58%

Broadstairs, Kent – 127.59%

Exmouth, Devon – 127.59%

Worthing, West Sussex -127.59%

Ayr, Scotland – 125.00%

Cromer, Norfolk – 125.00%

Source: Salesfire 

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Salesfire also revealed the dramatic effect that the government’s traffic-light system has been having on revenue for travel firms.

It tracked a revenue rise on travel sites of more than 120 per cent when the original green list was introduced on May 7, and then a 46 per cent decrease when restrictions changed on June 3, when Portugal was moved to the amber list.

Rich Himsworth, CEO of Salesfire, said: ‘The trend of holidaymakers booking flights and hotels online is nothing new, although historically this traffic has primarily been towards destinations in Europe and across the world.

‘The ongoing uncertainty around travel and quickly changing restrictions have reversed this trend and hotels, as well as tourist destinations, bars and restaurants, across the country are now benefitting from a huge surge in interest for a getaway to the UK’s coastal towns and resorts.

‘It’s not only the most famous seaside destinations such as Blackpool and Brighton that are seeing a rise in searches. Many smaller locations are witnessing unprecedented demand for accommodation, which is great news for British seaside towns!’

Visitessex.com says of Clacton-on-Sea: ‘[It] is a bustling but affordable seaside resort. It boasts an array of entertainment facilities, including a pleasure pier, arcades, the Princes and the West Cliff Theatres, a golf course, seafront walks, water sports and an airfield offering pleasure flights.

‘The main shopping area contains many of the more familiar national chains, independent stores as well as a variety of eateries to tantalise your taste buds which is a common theme throughout the area.’

Popular: Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire is a big draw for staycationers