West coast is the most popular staycation spot for 46% of people in Connacht

Over half of Connacht people (52%) have not taken a holiday since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, according to new research commissioned by Europcar Mobility Group Ireland.

The research shows that 44% of those in Connacht took a staycation in Ireland last year, but the length of stay was relatively short with the majority (40%) taking between two and three days.

Despite the possible return of international travel later in the year as the vaccine roll-out progresses, most people are still choosing to holiday at home in 2021.

The majority of people in Connacht (59%) are planning to staycation in Ireland this year in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Ireland’s Staycation Locations

The research revealed that the west coast (46%) is the most popular staycation spot in Ireland, followed by the south coast (21%), the east coast (14%) and the midlands (13%).

The west coast is the overwhelming favourite staycation spot for Generation Z (18-24), with seven in ten choosing to holiday here and it is also the top choice for 46% of people living in Connacht.

Staycation Spending

Of those who took a staycation over the past year, 42% spent less than €500 on their trip.

In contrast, 45% of those taking a staycation in 2021 are planning to spend up to €1,000 with just under a quarter (23%) planning to spend more than that, which is evidence of potential growth in consumer confidence as the economy reopens.

Over half (55%) of those aged 55+ plan on spending between €500-€1,000 on their next staycation, while seven in ten of those aged 18-24 will spend €500 or less. 69% of Generation Z (18-24) believe that staycations are cheaper than foreign holidays.

Staycation Transport

The research also indicates that the pandemic has influenced how people in the country plan to travel this summer, with the majority (62%) of the public opting against using public transport.

This suggests that more Irish people will be using a car for their holiday and with one in ten saying their current car is unsuitable for taking on a staycation, many will be considering renting a car.

To facilitate consumers travelling for staycations and to support the Irish tourism industry, just under a third (30%) of those surveyed believe that car rental and car sharing for staycations should be part of any Government hospitality support scheme.

Rediscovering Ireland

Covid-19 has also changed attitudes to holidaying in Ireland, with 46% of the general public saying they have a greater appreciation of Ireland as a holiday destination.

This rises to over three quarters (77%) amongst Generation Z (18-24), with more than a third (37%) having visited a place in Ireland that they had not been before the pandemic.

Commenting on the research, Colm Brady, managing director of Europcar Mobility Group Ireland, said: “Ireland has been offering wonderful experiences to overseas tourists for decades and now we get to rediscover our own country and all the remarkable places it has to offer. "