According to new research by Sykes Holiday Cottages, four in five (80%) Scots will holiday in Scotland instead of going abroad this year – with more than two in five (42%) stating that it will be their main summer holiday.

The Highlands, Moray and Dumfries and Galloway are the three most popular regions for those staying at home in Scotland this summer, with popular travel towns including Cullen, Nairn and Southerness.

Holiday bookings in Scotland have risen over the past few years – with Sykes reporting a 47% increase year-on-year in bookings to its Scottish holiday lets, and a 32% uplift compared to 2019.

New data from Sykes’ 2022 Scotland Staycation Index shows the demand for Scotland as a preferred holiday destination is being seen more widely across the UK too, with a third (32%) of all UK holidaymakers already having a trip booked to Scotland in 2022, and a further 29% planning to before the end of the year.

Looking at all bookings from across the UK, Dumfries and Galloway has overtaken the Highlands as the most in demand holiday region in Scotland this year, with Southerness leading the way for the most booked destination over summer, according to the 2022 report.

Other popular towns to travel to this summer include Newtonmore, Nairn and Aviemore as well as Cullen in Moray.

For more than four in 10 (42%) Brits travelling to Scotland this year, it will be their main summer holiday, with the average length of stay standing at seven days, and the lead time from booking to travel 160 days, on average.

As the cost of living crunch bites, price appears to be the number one incentive for travellers choosing to holiday in Scotland, as people opt for more affordable destinations closer to home instead of travelling further afield.

The average holidaymaker plans to spend £1,100 on their break in Scotland – including accommodation, travel, food and spending money – which is expected to boost Scotland’s economy by an estimated £19 billion in 2022.

Scotland’s scenery is cited as the second biggest reason behind travel, with more than seven in 10 (71%) Brits believing Scotland has the most impressive landscapes in the UK.

The top five factors influencing Brits’ choice of staycation accommodation in Scotland are proximity to walking routes, cycling routes, fishing, coastlines and pubs.

Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Although most international travel restrictions are now a distant memory, many travellers have enjoyed staying close to home and they are not ready to stop exploring. Our data for 2022 shows that a growing number of people see Scotland as their first-choice UK holiday destination, and as a proud Scot myself, I can hardly blame them.

“With rugged coastlines, beautiful lochs and a hearty food and drink scene, there is so much to discover throughout the country. Scotland has been popular with adventure-seekers for a while, but even more families are opting for Scottish summer holidays this year given the squeeze on household budgets.”