With air travel chaos and cost of living worries leaving local people opting to stay at home this year, according to a new VisitBritain survey, now is the perfect time to get out and explore the beautiful West of England this summer, according to Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

The Metro Mayor made the comments in response to a recent survey showing the boom in people taking local breaks may well be here to stay. According to VisitBritain, just under 40% of Britons are more likely to choose a domestic holiday instead of an overseas break than before the pandemic, with the current chaos at UK airports and affordability citing as two key reasons for the change.

The Metro Mayor said the extension of the 'staycation boom would provide a lifeline for the region's tourism sector which have been hit hard by the pandemic, with a £700m loss of revenue between March to June 2020 alone, and other cost pressures resulting from supply chain issues and the war in Ukraine.

The Mayor's 'Love Local' campaign is seeking to tempt local people - and domestic visitors - to get out and explore the region by showcasing the best that the West of England has to offer for family-friendly activities, dog-friendly days out and free fun for all.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: "The UK may well be the staycation nation but there is no better staycation destination than the amazing West of England. With local people understandably wanting to avoid the stress and hassle of overcrowded airports and the cost-of-living crisis stretching household budgets across the region, many are turning to staycations as the better value option. What's brilliant about that is here in the West of England - home to world-famous historical attractions, beautiful countryside and much, much more - we have so many amazing things to do on our doorstep. It is clear local people have been introduced to the charms of staycations during the pandemic, and they are here to stay. That's also great for our brilliant tourism industry. So whether it's finding out about Somerset Coalfield life at the award-winning Radstock Museum, getting on your walking boots and enjoying the Pensford Viaduct or stepping on board a real life steam locomotive at Somerset and Dorset Railway, what better time than now for local people to get out and rediscover our amazing region".