BOURNEMOUTH is booming as a fashion for “staycations” and the collapse in the pound drive tourists to the UK seaside, figures suggest.

Bookings at guest houses in the town are said to have risen 22.6 per cent since the prospect of Brexit caused the currency to fall.

The resort ranked fourth in a national league table, produced by online travel agency Eviivo, of seaside towns where B&B bookings had risen since last year.

Des Simmons, board member with Bournemouth Coastal Business Improvement District and managing director of Bournecoast Property Agents, said: “From the self-catering side, it’s extremely busy compared with last year. We’ve had the busiest May we’ve ever had.”

He said the popularity of online platforms like Airbnb and Holiday Lettings had boosted interest in domestic destinations.

“People are becoming more and more aware of the concept that you can stay and have a good holiday and then they’re exploring all options out there,” he said.

“It seems to be that everyone’s positive. Certainly the buzz around the town is the fact that it’s a very promising summer ahead of us. Anecdotally, people are seeing the enquiries flooding in.”

Jon Weaver, head of marketing and events for Bournemouth Tourism, said: “A lot of work goes into creating an attractive tourism offer for residents, visitors and holidaymakers so this is great news for the town.

“As well as cementing Bournemouth’s reputation for delivering a world class experience, this research reinforces the recent trend for staycations and our growing appeal to overseas travellers.”

Eviivo found Britons were increasingly choosing UK destinations because the weakness of the pound meant their money was not going as far abroad. Meanwhile, visitors from overseas were coming to the UK to make the most of the exchange rate.

It said: “We would say that independent B&B’s, guest houses and hotels are experiencing something of a renaissance, with British tourists’ growing enthusiasm for the staycation driving more and more people to seek out the quirky joys of an independent host over a boring chain hotel.“We’ve also found that family-friendly locations have seen a dramatic increase in popularity. People with accommodation labelled as family-friendly have seen bookings up an incredible 56.9 per cent as families tighten their belts and choose British breaks.”

Mark Cribb, founder of Urban Guild, which includes Boscombe’s Urban Beach hotel, said business was 20 per cent up in April and May.

He said: “A weak pound is good for domestic tourism, from people staying in this country, as well as coming in from overseas. We are all busy and the sun is out – happy days.”

James Costa, manager of Washington House Hotel in Durley Road, said there had been a “substantial increase” in bookings since last year.

“Bookings have been great, they’re up by a third. We’re getting more people from abroad staying, including people from Germany and Italy,” he said.

Melissa Leite, duty manager of the Chocolate Boutique Hotel, also said more visitors from Europe, as well as the US and Canada, had been visiting the hotel since the Brexit vote.

“I would say the number of foreign guests is increasing, but also the number of nationals too who are cautious about spending a lot of money at the moment,” she said.

“I’m pleased that we’re getting an increase in bookings, but there’s also a less positive aspect to Brexit. We rely heavily on foreign staff, and I’m concerned we will struggle to retain staff after Brexit.”