Three quarters of Yorkshire's residents plan to holiday in the region this year

The research by Sykes Holiday Cottages found that nearly half (47 per cent) of Yorkshire holidaymakers say they have enjoyed being able to explore more of the county in lockdown and it has opened their eyes to what lies on their doorstep.

Over a third (36 per cent) of Yorkshire holiday-goers are planning to go on a UK staycation this year, but staying in God’s own country is definitely the preferred option.

Yorkshire locals said a staycation offers the chance to explore unknown parts of Yorkshire as well as the wider UK without having to travel very far and they will spend less money if they stay close to home rather than going abroad.

With holiday lets potentially reopening to single households in April, this growing trend could provide a huge boost for the Yorkshire leisure economy.

Over a third (35 per cent) of people living in Yorkshire chose a staycation last summer and 58 per cent of these holiday-goers said they now no longer feel the need to travel far for a holiday as they enjoyed their UK break so much last year.

Graham Donoghue, chief executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Many of us are eager to take a much needed break away this summer, and rightly so. But a holiday doesn’t have to mean flying abroad or driving hundreds of miles, with our research showing that those in Yorkshire are now much more open to exploring what lies closer to home.

“Boasting three spectacular National Parks, a breathtaking coastline and some of the UK’s finest restaurants and pubs, Yorkshire is a wonderful location for a staycation and it’s great to see that locals are planning to make the most of what the area has to offer.”

This latest research follows the claim that Whitby has become the staycation capital of the North.

North Yorkshire property consultancy, Hendersons, said the winning combination of a boom in UK holidays this year and a Town Fund grant of £17m has meant that Whitby is now the go-to coastal resort in the North of England.

Nick Henderson, founder and managing director of Whitby-based Hendersons Estate Agents, said that the future has never looked so bright for his hometown.

“Once upon a time, Whitby was regarded as one of the least desirable towns in Yorkshire, a run-down, neglected unemployment blackspot.

“Its recent renaissance is absolutely remarkable, with investment pouring in and the town centre a sparkling mix of great restaurants, unique independent retailers and a wonderful sense of atmosphere and history.

“The investment opportunities in holiday cottages and buy-to-let properties are mouth-watering. Whitby has never had it so good.”

He said that the havoc wrought by Covid-19 means that overseas travel is not seen as an option by many people for the foreseeable future.

“The idea of a British holiday home at Whitby on Yorkshire’s majestic East Coast has become extremely attractive,” he added.

“Whitby is becoming increasingly popular across the country. Its reputation as one of the hottest holiday destinations in the UK has never been higher, fuelled not only by the unique beauty of the town and the surrounding countryside, but also by the quality of its retail and leisure offering with outstanding shops and restaurants.

“The town has just been named the most in-demand seaside location in the whole of the UK by Rightmove, based on research into how many people were inquiring about new homes by the sea.”