BUSINESS confidence among accommodation providers is at a record high for the summer holidays, according to a VisitEngland survey.

The ‘business confidence’ survey findings also show that out of 500 accommodation providers, more than half are expecting an increase in visitors following the EU referendum outcome with a particular boost expected for the domestic market.

English businesses are anticipating a strong summer holiday period with 65 per cent of accommodation providers feeling “very confident” about the summer holidays and 47 per cent reporting forward bookings as “very good” – both record highs for the survey.

Around 40 per cent of accommodation providers and attractions reported increased visitor numbers in the year to date with a further 30 per cent maintaining performance.

Tourism Minister Tracey Crouch said: “The number of people enjoying holidays in England is at arecord high.

“With our world-leading museums and galleries, beautiful countryside and stunning coastline, it should come as no surprise that more people are planning staycations this summer.

“Tourism contributes an estimated £60bn to our economy every year, so a strong summer season is not only great news for the sector but the whole country.”

VisitEngland director Patricia Yates said: “It’s a great summer to holiday in England and a fantastic opportunity for the tourism industry to showcase the range of quality tourism products on offer across the country and demonstrate just why our regions should top people’s list as must-go-now destinations.

“We are continuing our global #OMGB ‘Home of Amazing Moments’ marketing campaign to showcase the amazing experiences in our own backyard and working with partners to offer great tactical deals to drive bookings.”

Ms Yates said that, with the weakened pound, a holiday at home also gave people the reassurance and certainty of budgeting for a domestic trip.

It has been a record-breaking first four months of the year (January to April) for domestic holiday trips in England. From January to April Brits took 11 million holiday trips, eight per cent more compared to the same period last year, and spent £2.8bn, 22 per cent up on last year and taking both measures to record levels for this period.

These figures come on the back of a strong 2015 with domestic holiday trips and spending both up seven per cent on the previous year to 43.7 million holiday trips and £10.7bn respectively.

The number of Brits taking short breaks in England was up 10 per cent compared to the previous year with people also taking about four million more short breaks in England than they did 10 years ago.

Also in 2015, domestic seaside holiday trips were up seven per cent, city holidays up six per cent, and countryside holidays up 12 per cent.