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Yes, says Patricia Yates, director of strategy and insights at VisitBritain
The answer is simple - a resounding yes. Some 20% of us who went on a foreign holiday last year are considering staying in the UK this year and many of our tourism businesses are already reporting healthy bookings for the summer months. Britain is such a varied destination; it can appeal to every taste and budget and making the choice to holiday here could be the best decision you make in 2009.
We are also fortunate to have such a huge range of accommodation across all price bands - from grand country house hotels to farmhouse B&Bs. And this year, as the tourism industry sees the chance to encourage more of us to explore our own country, there are deals and special offers to be had. So it is worth shopping around just as you would for an overseas holiday.
And you can forget the hassle involved in an overseas holiday - no flight delays or long queues at the airport and no worrying about how many dollars or euros your pound will buy.
Those of you who have always chosen to travel overseas might be pleasantly surprised while discovering your own backyard. For new events and attractions, a resurgence in local food and the growth in activity breaks have transformed the British holiday. Add to that our timeless tourism assets, from picturesque countryside and sleepy seaside resorts to lively multicultural cities, with terrific heritage and iconic landmarks, infused with contemporary design, music, architecture and performing arts.
However much we moan about it, we rather like our changeable weather! Regardless of the forecast there will always be surfers out in full force on Newquay beaches and walkers enjoying the scenic surroundings of the Lake District. I recall lying on an idyllic beach in Greece with my pre-teenage sons who casually remarked: "Of course this isn't the best beach in the world - that's Camber sands."
You see, what kids remember is playing football on the beach as the tide goes out, dive bombing in the dunes and fish and chips in their wrappers for tea - rather than exotic locations.
In Britain you can see art and culture from around the world as the entry to our most famous museums and galleries - such as the Tate Modern, the Lowry Gallery in Manchester, the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum or the Burrell Collection in Glasgow - is entirely free. Exploring on foot is a great way to admire the modern and historic architecture or to enjoy one of our many fantastic royal parks.
And we should take pride in our own tourism industry. This is Britain's fifth largest industry, supporting 2.7m jobs and delivering £114bn - 8.2% of the UK GDP. By choosing to holiday at home you are giving much-needed support to local regions, businesses and livelihoods. Almost one in eight startup businesses created in the UK belongs to the tourism sector, one of few industries that can promote and nurture small businesses - more than 200,000 of them. And tourism provides entry-level jobs, making it a viable option for people trying to get back in the job market and build their skills.
So yes, this is the year to have a great holiday exploring Britain - and at the same time you can pat yourself on the back at being part of a trend to support your local economy.
No, says Tim Williamson, customer director for First Choice and Thomson Holidays
Britain is lying under a dark cloud. By taking your holiday in Blighty, there's no escaping the doom and gloom of the economic downturn, job-cuts, and quite literally, the rain clouds. In these financially challenging times, people need escapism, that little ray of light to give them something to focus on and look forward to. That can be found by hopping on a plane and heading abroad for some guaranteed sunshine.
Last summer, Cyprus racked up 1,058 hours of sunshine compared with a paltry 381 hours in the UK. And the prospect of a scorching summer this year seems slim. Last year was the wettest British summer since records began, and with the weather in the UK becoming increasingly temperamental, why take the risk of your much-anticipated holiday being a complete washout? What can you do with your family in the rain? Not a lot.
Thomson and First Choice research shows that 88% of people would prefer to cut back on dining out and home improvements rather than sacrifice their holidays. And if you are going to spend your hard-earned cash on a trip away, why would you risk putting a dampener on the entire experience by staying in the UK, when you could be soaking up the sun in Egypt?
There's a common misconception that a holiday abroad will cost the earth. In fact, heading abroad can save you money. A week in May self-catering in Menorca for a family of four (two adults and two children) costs £695 with First Choice, whereas staying seven nights around the same time on a self-catering basis in a well-known British holiday camp will set you back up to £996 for a family of the same size. Worried about spending money? All-inclusives make it easy to budget and know how much money you are going to spend.
What better feeling is there than stepping off a plane and feeling the wave of heat hit your face - even when it's dark? And how else do you replicate the radiance only captured from a week spent in the sun - it's just not the same out of a bottle.
Book your package holiday abroad with a company protected under the government-backed Air Travel Organisers' Licensing Scheme and you can rest assured that your money is protected. But could you say the same if your UK hotel or rental company goes out of business?
While there are several areas of outstanding natural beauty to be discovered on these shores, a dip in the North Sea is hardly as enticing as it is in the tranquil turquoise sea of the Mediterranean. Plus, in Britain, you can't learn about overseas cultures, which is one of the joys of travelling abroad. Tasting local cuisines, immersing yourself in new experiences or simply lying around a pool reading a book or four is what makes a holiday. Or, if you fancy hopping on a camel, diving in a coral reef, or swimming with dolphins, you can.
You simply don't get to unwind in the same way in the UK. You still face traffic jams to the beach, you're still on your UK mobile network, so easily contactable, making it harder to forget about the stresses of work. People need to take a holiday from the recession. Abroad, you really can switch off, forget about everyday worries and relax - now that's truly priceless.
What do you think?
Are you forsaking an overseas holiday in favour of the UK this year? Do you recall British seaside holidays with fondness? Or do you need a fix of guaranteed sun?
Write to Cash, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU, email cash@observer.co.uk or join the debate online at guardian.co.uk/money
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