Holiday businesses in Yorkshire are reporting a surge in Easter bookings as travellers cancel trips to the Middle East amid the ongoing war between the United States and Iran. Hotels and self catering cottage owners in areas such as the Yorkshire Dales and Leyburn say they have received a flurry of inquiries from people opting to holiday closer to home.

Paul Reynolds of the Traddock Hotel said several guests had rebooked after their overseas trips were cancelled, choosing instead to enjoy extended stays in the Dales. Cottage owner Diane Howarth described the increase as a 'staycation boom', adding that the additional income would help offset sharply rising heating oil costs.

Tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire said the rise in visitors would also benefit restaurants, transport providers and other local businesses. New figures from Visit England show 12.5 million people are planning overnight trips in England over the Easter weekend, up from 10.6 million last year, reflecting a broader shift toward familiar and easily reachable destinations.