Petrol prices squeeze households and hit tourism as day trips fall

Tourist attractions in the west of England are reporting a notable fall in day-trip visitors as rising petrol costs pressure household budgets and discretionary spending. Local surveys and business reports point to weaker footfall at piers, palaces and small museums compared with the previous year.

Detailing the trend, Visit Somerset's comparisons of March 2026 with March 2025 show roughly half of businesses surveyed reporting lower bookings and increased cancellations. Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier recorded an Easter visitor decline of about 6%, while the Bishop's Palace in Wells saw Easter attendance fall by around 10%. Some smaller venues have responded by offering free admission days or cutting prices to stimulate local demand.

The impact is being felt across the local economy: tourism-related spending on food, retail and accommodation is weakening, and operators warn of revenue shortfalls and potential job losses. Somerset's tourism sector is worth about £1.1bn annually and supports roughly 18,000 jobs, making the region particularly sensitive to reductions in day-trip traffic. Businesses are experimenting with promotions and adjusted services to offset lower visitor numbers.

In the wider context, higher petrol prices reflect global supply pressures and geopolitical risks, prompting some governments to consider tax relief or other measures to ease consumer costs. Similar patterns of shorter trips and fuel surcharges for tours have been reported in other markets, including Australia, where operators introduced passenger fuel surcharges and cut services amid rising costs. Policy responses and oil market movements will be key determinants of near-term tourism demand.

Market observers expect discretionary travel to remain constrained while households prioritise essentials. Short-term recovery for day-trip tourism may rely on operator flexibility, targeted discounts and government support where available, but sustained improvement depends on petrol price stability and broader consumer confidence. Industry groups are closely monitoring booking trends ahead of the summer season.