Domestic travel still does the heavy lifting for Britain’s visitor economy.
In 2024, residents made 105.6 million overnight trips within Great Britain and 1.0 billion tourism day visits, spending £32.9 billion and £54.8 billion respectively.
That meant domestic spending again outpaced inbound visitor spending.
VisitBritain’s latest releases show 2024 was a mixed year: fewer overnight trips than 2023, but higher total spend as prices rose. Early 2025 data points to softer volumes in the second quarter as households navigated higher living costs.
Key stats: UK Domestic Tourism
- 105.6 million overnight domestic trips in 2024 — UK residents took over a hundred million stays at home.
- These trips accounted for 308 million overnight stays and £32.9 billion spent across Great Britain.
- On top of that, 1.0 billion day trips were made in 2024, with £54.8 billion spent by day-trippers.
- But in Q2 2025, domestic overnight trips dropped to 18.5 million in England (–18% vs 2024), and total domestic spend fell to £16.6 billion.
- Overnight trip spending slid 12% YoY (to £5.7 billion), day-visit spending fell 6% (to £11.0 billion).
- Interestingly, the average spend per overnight trip increased from £286 to £307 year over year.
- In 2023, Brits took 117.4 million overnight trips, staying 340 million nights and spending £31.25 billion.
- England dominates: in 2023, ~85% of domestic overnight trips occurred there.
- Despite falling visit volumes, day-visit spend in England rose ~6% in 2024 to £48.4 billion.
- Between 2022 and 2024, spending on domestic holidays dropped ~21%, equating to ≈ £3 billion less in the sector.
Did Britons take fewer trips but spend more?
Yes. Volumes fell year on year, but spend rose in nominal and real terms, lifting spend per trip.
Domestic overnight trips, 2024
| Geography | Trips | Total spend | Spend per trip | YoY volume | YoY spend (real) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 90m | £27bn | £305 | −10% | +2% |
| Great Britain | 106m | £33bn | £312 | −10% | +3% |
Source: GBTS Q4 and annual 2024.
What about day visits?
Tourism day visits remain a larger market by volume and value than domestic overnights.
Domestic day visits, 2024
| Geography | Day visits | Total spend | YoY volume | YoY spend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | n/a subset of GB | £48.4bn | −12% | +6% |
| Great Britain | 1.0bn | £54.8bn | −12% | +6% |
Sources: VisitBritain day visits 2024; House of Commons Library briefing.
Which destinations gained share?
Large towns and cities increased their share of domestic overnight trips in England to 46 per cent in 2024. By nights stayed, the South West led with 49.1 million nights (19 per cent share), followed by London (15 per cent), North West and South East. Seaside and small towns saw the sharpest declines in trip numbers.
England: share of domestic nights, 2024
| Region | Nights (m) | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South West | 49.1 | 19% |
| London | 37.3 | 15% |
| North West | 34.8 | 14% |
| South East | 34.5 | 13% |
| East Midlands | 20.5 | 8% |
| West Midlands | 18.1 | 7% |
| North East | 7.3 | 3% |
Source: GBTS 2024 report.
What does the 2025 picture look like so far?
In Q2 2025, residents took 18.5 million overnight trips in England, down 18 per cent on Q2 2024. Day-visit volume in the quarter was 231 million, down 1 per cent year on year. Total domestic tourism spend in Q2 2025 fell to £16.6 billion, with both overnight and day-visit spend lower than a strong 2024 base.
How are people travelling and booking?
VisitBritain highlights shorter trips growing in share, reduced booking lead times, a decline in caravan and camping stays versus 2023, and higher average spend for self-catering rentals. Solo travel also grew, with 28 per cent of overnight trips in 2024 taken by solo travellers.
What are the main reasons for domestic trips?
Across Great Britain in 2024, visiting friends and relatives accounted for 38 per cent of domestic overnight trips, holidays for 30 per cent, business for 6 per cent, with the remainder classed as miscellaneous.
Quick reference: 2024 at a glance
| Metric | 2024 result |
|---|---|
| GB domestic overnight trips | 105.6m |
| GB domestic overnight spend | £32.9bn |
| GB tourism day visits | 1.0bn |
| GB tourism day-visit spend | £54.8bn |
| England day-visit spend | £48.4bn |
| England overnight spend per trip | £305 |
Sources: House of Commons Library; VisitBritain day visits; GBTS 2024.
FAQ
Are staycations still bigger than inbound tourism by value
Yes. In 2024, domestic day-visit spend alone reached £54.8 billion and domestic overnight spend £32.9 billion, together exceeding inbound visitor spend.
Which parts of England see the most overnight nights
By nights in 2024, the South West led, followed by London, the North West and the South East.
Did cost of living pressures show up in the data
Yes. 2024 saw fewer trips but higher spend per trip, and Q2 2025 volumes and value declined year on year.
Is city travel outperforming coastal and small-town breaks
In share terms, yes. Large towns and cities grew to 46 per cent of England overnights in 2024, while seaside and small towns saw larger declines.
Sources
- VisitBritain — Great Britain domestic overnight trips: latest results (2024 headline findings, published 29 May 2025)
- VisitBritain — Great Britain domestic day visits: latest results (2024 report, published 8 May 2025)
- VisitBritain — Domestic tourism: latest results (Q2 2025 toplines, published 10 September 2025)
- VisitBritain (GBTS) — Domestic overnight trips: Q4 and annual 2024 report (PDF)
- UK Parliament, House of Commons Library — Tourism: Statistics and policy (updated 27 August 2025)
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