The UK is set for a staycation summer - and there are plenty of hidden gems

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. The UK is set for a staycation summer - and there are plenty of hidden gems8 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleEmer MoreauandJennifer Meierhans ,Business reporters@eboniivoryblogEboni Dixon at the Minack Theatre in CornwallSummer holidays might look different for some people this year as the war in Iran disrupts travel across the Middle East and pushes up prices for flights and package deals to European hotspots. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned last week "people might change where they go on holiday this year," and while the government insists there is no need to cancel flights some Brits are deciding to stay put. com and Airbnb both told the they were already seeing an increase in demand for domestic bookings, with searches for May half-term UK holidays up 20% on Booking.

com compared with last year, and searches for UK stays for the May bank holidays up 15% on Airbnb. But many seasoned staycationers are already aware of all the UK has to offer and some have told News what they love about exploring the British Isles. 'The Isle of Wight is unreal'Travel and lifestyle content creator Eboni Dixon says many UK beaches rival the beauty you'd find abroad.

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"We are literally surrounded by coastlines," she says, "and there are so many stunning ones I haven't even got to yet. " The 34-year-old shares hidden gems on her social media channels. "The Isle of Wight is absolutely unreal - my photos look like I could have been in Croatia," she says after a three-day wellness retreat that included activities like yoga and paddleboarding.

Getty ImagesEboni said the Isle of Wight looks like Croatia Other top spots for Eboni include Alton in Hampshire where she saw fields of lavender and Hastings where she visited a vineyard, Hever Castle and heritage funicular railway East and West Hill Lifts. "Folkestone in Kent is really up and coming, the harbour looks like you could be abroad," she says. @eboniivoryblogEboni visited Hever Castle in Kent"When a lot of people think of a holiday immediately you think of going abroad and you have to get on a plane for it to be a holiday," she says.

"For me, it doesn't really matter where in the world I am as long as there's interesting things on offer. If you like a holiday that's just lying on a beach and not really doing much, you might as well lie on a beach in the UK. "If you go to Spain or whatever, you're surrounded by Brits anyway!

"Want to head to the Isle of Wight? Here's how to do it: Access is by ferry only, with Wightlink from Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Fishbourne with cars, or Portsmouth to Ryde for foot passengers; Red Funnel from Southampton to West Cowes and East Cowes; and Hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.