BOURNEMOUTH is “fully booked” this bank holiday weekend thanks to a “staycation boom”.

Tim Seward, chair of the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association, said hotels are in for a “bumper weekend” due to a surge in bookings with the boom set to last into next month.

Mr Seward said: “Hotels have done very well. They have planned for it and done it with the staycations.

“We got what we wanted. We have been busy since May 17 and continue to be busy. Bournemouth is fully booked at the moment because of the staycation boom.”

Mr Seward added that he expects the boom to remain throughout September and beyond the Bournemouth Air Festival.

Those visiting will in turn need somewhere to stay and prices at hotels inevitably increase as demand does over the bank holiday weekend.

According to hotel booking websites, anyone wanting to stay in Bournemouth this weekend for three nights, checking in Friday and departing on Monday, will have to pay at least £486.

That is the cheapest option for two adults in one room available in the town and can be found at the Russell Court Hotel.

On the other end of the scale is £1,197 for the same option at the Hilton.

Tim Seward from the Bournemouth Area Hospitality Association has pinpointed the culmination of good weather, the bank holiday weekend and the staycation boom behind the price hikes; which would normally exist at this time of year anyway.

Councillor Mohan Iyengar, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture at BCP Council, said: “Summer has been busy, with hotel bookings being strong and high room rates being achieved. Even with the weather being mixed, demand has held up well.”

For this weekend, the BCP Council area is certainly feeling the effects of the increase in demand, a room for two nights and two people over the weekend will set people back at least £349 at the Premier Inn Christchurch West.

By contrast the most expensive room is at the Bournemouth East Cliff Hotel, Sure Hotel which costs £826 for the same options. Staying in town on Saturday night at the Brooklands Hotel boasts the cheapest option for a room for two people at £230.

Again, at the higher end of the scale is the Hilton charging £809 for the same stay.