Josie Gibson reveals how adventures with Alison Hammond inspired her love of staycations

Virgin Radio

16 Jul 2024, 11:44

Josie Gibson has revealed how her This Morning adventures with Alison Hammond developed her love for UK-based staycations.

The beloved TV host was speaking exclusively with virginradio.co.uk alongside Hoseasons general manager Gemma Brown when she revealed how the show has inspired several of her now favourite holiday activities.

Discussing her passion for vacationing with Hoseasons in the UK, Josie explained how working on her and Alison’s Staycation Showdown feature series for This Morning led to her discovering many of the activities she now makes a beeline for on every family trip.

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“[Staycation Showdown] is where I really got a newfound respect for all the locations [and activities] on our doorstep,” Josie explained. “I love a bit of archery, and me and Alison Hammond learnt a bit of archery when we did [that show].”

“I learnt how to paddleboard on This Morning, down at Ladram Bay in North Devon,” she also shared. “I took that on and I’ve actually bought my own paddleboard now, so yeah, I love that.”

Josie is also a fan of surfing. “I’m not very good at it,” she jokes. “But I still like to do it, and it is the best workout ever. You use parts of your body you never even knew existed!”

On the subject of all the possible staycation locations available to enjoy activities such as surfing, archery or biking in the UK, the presenter added: “There’s so many hidden gems… I’ve got loads of destinations that I want to go to.”

Recent research from Hoseasons reveals Josie is not alone in having developed a passion for the staycation experience, as it suggests 53% families across the UK have planned one or more holidays in the UK this year.

As travel expert Gemma explained: “People want to travel within an hour or two hours of where they live, half of our bookings are within two hours of where [our customers] live…we’ve got so much to offer in the UK, and you can adapt where you go with what suits your needs.

“Some people want to travel far, but a lot actually want to travel around the corner and explore something a little bit different.”

Staycation holidays like those offered by Hoseasons offer fun for all the family, including the dog, and can be tailor made to be as relaxing and restful as they are exhilarating and action-packed.

For Gemma and Josie, it’s all about the memories these adventures provide. “All these memories… they’re something for life. And my children now just talk about ‘that UK holiday’,” Gemma said, as Josie agreed. “And I think back to being a child… the fondest memories are probably the ones where you went [somewhere] in the UK as well.”

For more information about staycation breaks from Hoseasons, visit their website: hoseasons.co.uk