UNITED KINGDOM — Summer bookings for stays near lakes and lochs in the UK were up 12% compared to last year, with riverside properties also experiencing a 12% increase.

Raoul Fraser, founder of Lovat Parks, said summer bookings at his company had jumped 35%. "People are booking as we get closer to the school holidays and more confident that we are going to have good weather in July," Fraser said. He added, "With everything that is going on in Iran, many people do not want to go anywhere east of southern Europe and a lot of money is coming into the UK market." Fraser also said reports of long queues and missed flights at some European airports due to the EU entry-exit system were discouraging people from booking holidays abroad.

Booking.com reported that searches among UK travellers for domestic summer trips were up 10% compared to last year. Sinead O'Connor, a travel analyst at Mintel, said there had been a 5% rise in staycation plans this summer among UK consumers. "Although Europe also remains a popular choice, reports of queues at the border gives Britons pause for thought, with 39% of consumers saying that the introduction of the entry-exit system has put them off travelling in Europe," O'Connor said.

Abta found that 38% of potential holidaymakers had delayed their decision to book this summer. Fraser said, "People are also concerned about there being four- or five-hour long queues at airports in Europe, especially older people and families with young kids."

Matthew Price, chief executive of Awaze, said seaside towns such as Whitby, Bridlington and Newquay were among the most popular UK destinations. "Breaks closer to home are really appealing," Price said. "Holidaymakers are taking advantage of the warmer weather, booking spontaneous getaways where they can enjoy a dip and escape the heat."

Waitrose projects sales at its Menai Bridge branch in Anglesey to rise 23% compared to last summer. The grocery chain also forecasts sales increases of 17% at its branches in Truro, Cornwall; Bridport, Dorset; and East Cowes, Isle of Wight.