More people in Britain are choosing to holiday within the country this year, as rising fuel prices and concerns over international travel are disrupting plans for trips abroad, according to a report in the Financial Times.The change is already visible in the travel industry, with many holiday operators reporting an increase in domestic bookings over Easter as well as strong demand for the May half term and summer season.Search data supports this trend. Airbnb reported a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for UK accommodation during the May bank holidays. Popular destinations included Northumberland, Pembrokeshire, Herefordshire, Gwynedd and Derbyshire, while Whitby in North Yorkshire emerged as the top choice during Easter, along with the Lake District and coastal areas of Dorset, Devon and Wales.Travel companies say that the nature of booking is also changing. Hannah Harrison, commercial director of Coaching Inn Group, told the Financial Times that demand has increased steadily since the spring. “We’re seeing an increase in bookings and people who are booking are spending more and staying longer,” he said.Holiday park operators are also reporting an increase. The Haven said bookings at its coastal sites had increased by 10 per cent compared to last year, while Sykes Holiday Cottages had seen an 18 per cent increase in visits over Easter. Butlin said its resorts were operating at full capacity, with an increase in last-minute bookings.Industry leaders suggest that uncertainty surrounding global events is influencing decisions. Matthew Price, chief executive of Away, told the Financial Times: “People don’t want to commit to flying.” He said rising household costs are also shaping behaviour, with travelers still looking for leisure but becoming more cautious about spending.Economic data reflects this change. Barclays reported that UK consumer spending on travel fell 3.3 percent in March compared with a year earlier, the first decline since 2021. Many travelers are delaying travel or opting for more affordable domestic holidays.At the same time, the demand for international travel has weakened. Data from Trivago shows that UK travelers’ searches for Middle East destinations have fallen by 48 percent, while interest in Turkey and Cyprus has fallen by more than a third, the Financial Times reports.For UK hospitality businesses, the increase in accommodation offers provides some relief. Operators are dealing with higher costs including energy bills, wage increases and rising business rates. Ian Dunstall, director of Upham Inns, told the Financial Times that strong domestic demand could help offset these pressures. “The demand for a stronger ban would be good compensation for us,” he said.However, challenges remain. Industry projections suggest the average hospitality property faces a 15 per cent increase in business rates this year, adding further pressure to the sector.Rising fuel prices are also a matter of concern. Petrol prices have climbed to almost £1.58 a litre, the highest level since 2022, raising questions about how much consumers can continue to spend.Adam Charity, managing director of the Coaching Inn Group, warned that financial pressures on families could limit growth. “My growing concern is about the actual cash available for people to spend,” he told the Financial Times.While domestic tourism is seeing renewed momentum, the sustainability of this trend will depend on how economic conditions evolve in the coming months.