More than half (56%) of people are planning or have taken a UK-based holiday this year, a survey indicates.

On average, those going on a staycation in 2023 will spend £875 on their trip, the research, commissioned by American Express, suggests.

Last year, UK adults took just one domestic holiday, on average, but this year, of those who are holidaying in the UK, the average number of trips is predicted to be two, according to the research carried out by Opinium among 2,000 people across the UK in June.

Maggie Boyle, vice president at American Express said: “This new research finds that half of Brits will holiday in the UK this year, with proximity to restaurants, bars and cafes a top staycation priority for many.”

A beach in Swansea
A view of a beach in Swansea. Wales is the top destination in American Express’s staycation survey (Sophie Hogan/PA)

With its stunning beaches, castles and countryside, Wales tops the list of destinations among people surveyed who are planning a staycation this year.

The bright lights of London also have a strong pull for holidaymakers from the UK, with the city placed in the survey as the second most popular location, with Cornwall and the Lake District in joint third place and Devon places as the fifth most popular location.

The research also found that younger people aged 18 to 34 are more likely to be holidaying in the UK than those aged 55-plus, with 64% of younger adults doing so versus 51% of over-55s surveyed.

More than a third (37%) of people surveyed have already booked the travel or accommodation for their UK-based holiday or both.

A further one in five (19%) have not fully planned their staycation yet, perhaps indicating that some people are looking to make their money stretch further by buying a last-minute deal.