Staycity reports UK bookings surge

Dublin-based aparthotel operator Staycity has reported that it has seen UK bookings surge this week following the UK government’s recovery roadmap, announced on 22 February. Bookings across the group’s 11 UK properties rose by 333% in the 24 hours after the announcement, compared with the previous week, with £312,000-worth (US$360,680) of business taken on 23 February alone. Staycity co-founder and CEO Tom Walsh said the surge in demand was “exciting news” for the group which suffered earlier than most from the impact of the pandemic. Its property in York was at the centre of the first Covid-19 cases in the UK in January 2020. Walsh said: “This demonstrates the demand for travel and the fact guests are keen to book trips and to have something to look forward to. It’s a huge relief to us, and the hospitality industry as a whole, to have this clear evidence that people are keen to make up for lost time – and also that they have confidence in the stringent hygiene protocols the industry has put in place.” England’s hotels are expected to re-open on 17 May, according to the government.