Tourism body VisitEngland has released figures - distilled from research among 1,000 adults aged 18+ - which appear to show that the phenomenon of the 'staycation' is here to stay.

The statistics indicate that in 2009, England saw an 18 per cent increase in the number of holiday trips taken, with visitors spending £1bn more than in 2008. This rise is said to have helped awaken a pride in England as a holiday destination and as a result - in the longer term - around half the population intend to take more domestic breaks than they did previously.

VisitEngland has identified two groups as being behind the rise in domestic holidays, which together account for around a quarter of the population. One of these, the 'switchers', accounted for 13 per cent of respondents and included a high proportion of families. This group was primarily motivated to 'switch' a foreign holiday for one at home due to financial considerations.

The other group, the 'extras', accounted for 15 per cent of respondents and tended to be younger, and were more likely to be single. This group was less affected by the economic situation and more motivated by a desire to explore the UK and go somewhere new. Findings from the study show that 90 per cent of 'staycationers' expect to take at least one break in England this year. Some people will choose to travel abroad again when they can afford it, but with half the population expecting that they will take more domestic breaks even beyond 2010, VisitEngland says that the year of the staycation seems likely to have a longer term impact for English tourism.

Pic: Going somewhere new - Spurn Point, East Yorkshire. Image courtesy of Kirin