The phenomenon of the "staycation", in which cash-strapped Britons supposedly took their 2009 holidays close to home, was largely a myth, the managing director of Butlins said this week.

Richard Bates said that while Butlins's bookings were up by two per cent to about 1.5 million customers, this was largely thanks to the opening in August of the £20 million Ocean Hotel at the company's Bognor Regis resort. That offset a fall in bookings at its other resorts, in Minehead and Skegness.




"There was some talk that people were just going to give up their Tuscan villas for apartments in Skegness, but that clearly wasn't the case," he said. "Overall we've had a good year, but our growth has been largely driven by the new hotel. The staycation idea didn't deserve the hype that it got."

Manny Fontenla-Novoa, chief executive of Thomas Cook, would agree. Earlier this week, he reported that the number of summer holiday bookings made over the past four weeks were up 14 per cent compared with the same period last year. He suggested that the staycation was merely a story put about by British holiday companies.

Easter is full of egg-citement at Butlins

With so much egg-citement to be had at all of the Butlins Resorts this Easter, there's no better way to spend your Easter holidays!

We have top acts appearing at different breaks during this Easter:

- Dick & Dom (Saturday TV presenters)
- Blazin' Squad (Top urban band)
- Darius (Pop Idol star)
- Mark Speight (Kids TV presenter)
- cITV's Fun Song Factory (Kids TV show)
- Darren Day (Entertainer)
- Verbalicious (Hot new singer)
- Brum (Kids TV character)
- Engie Benjy (Kids TV character)
- Tractor Tom (Kids TV character)



Our fantastic FREE activities during all breaks include:
Bob the Builder(TM) and his team - Easter Egg Hunts - Fancy Dress parade - Skyline Shows - Magic and Illusion - Superslam Wrestling - Splash Waterworld - Soft Play Areas - Funfair - Go Karts - Snooker - Ten Pin Bowling - Activity packed Kids Clubs!


The entertainment at Butlins is always egg-stra special!

Bob is coming to Butlins

Bob's Coming to Butlins!

From February half term 2005, there will be a brand new area called Bob's Yard, where Bob and his friends will be starring in two mini Bob adventures every day!

There will also be the chance to meet Bob, Wendy, Pilchard and Spud, and they might even let you take their picture! Bob and friends will be making character appearances at Kids Clubs and showing everyone that the fun really is in getting it done!