Spring is in the air and thoughts are turning to the summer and perhaps a holiday. But rather than travel abroad this year, how about a holiday right here in the UK? According to Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, 80% of the the travel industry in the UK is created by domestic tourism. However, a recent survey by Travelodge of 2,000 adults showed large numbers of people in the the South who have never ventured North for a holiday, and vice-versa. And they're missing out on such wonders as the Lake District, the Eden Project, Warwick Castle, the Loch Ness monster (or perhaps not!). Not to mention our very own European Capital of Culture - Liverpool of course.“These distinctions [between north and south], whether factual or perceptual, do exist" says Richard Sharpley, professor of tourism at UCL, "[But] they should be celebrated by Brits and I would urge people to travel further afield in the UK to enjoy them.” (Sunday Times, 24.01.08).
