Consider Your Proposition
Before you buy or renovate a holiday home, you should take time to really consider who your guests will be, what they are looking for and how you can make your property more appealing to them. The Covid-19 Pandemic really bolstered the UK tourism industry, and many people discovered the joy of cottage holidays at home for the first time. As a result, there has never been a better time to get into holiday letting, as people continue to choose a holiday at home. Read below to find out a bit more about the current holiday home market and what’s selling right now and some emerging trends in the staycation world.
Location appeal
In 2021, the most-desired holiday destinations were Cornwall, the Lake District, North Wales and Dorset. However, whilst buying a property in these popular areas is a sure fire way to generate bookings, the market will be more competitive, and properties more expensive.
On the other hand, buying in a more unique area has the potential to tap into a much more niche market, and with the right property, features and marketing, it too is sure to generate bookings.
It pays to know what it is that attracts guests to your location. It could, for example, be a beach, local attractions, the landscape, travel links, seclusion, or perhaps even proximity to a different location.
Once you begin to understand why travellers choose to visit your location, you can consider who they may be (solo travellers, couples, families or groups) and what they would require of a property in that location.
Property appeal
Holidaymakers all have different needs and preferences. Many dog owners would rather travel with their pets than leave them behind, and some holidaymakers will search for properties with specific features, such as such as a hot tub or open fire.
Adapting your property to meet the needs of a wider audience, where feasible, will increase the chances of it being booked.
Booking rate boosters include:
- Making your home dog-friendly
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Good WiFi and Smart TVs
- Having a log burner or open fire
- Sea or river views
- Adding a hot tub or pool
Looking back: 2021 bookings
91%
were for cottages with WiFi
73%
were for cottages with a garden
33%
were for short stays
Looking forward: ECO-Stays
There is a growing rise in the demand for eco-stays, particularly when it comes to staycations, so if you’re an environmental advocate yourself, getting into the eco-stays industry could be a very exciting prospect.
61%
want to start travelling more sustainably, since realising the environmental damage travel can cause
This article was published on 09-Jun-22
Disclaimer: At the time of publishing, The Original Cottage Company Limited has taken all reasonable care to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate. However, no warranty or representation is given that the information is complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. This guide contains general information about laws applicable to holiday properties. This information is not advice and should not be treated as such. Compliance with legislation is the responsibility of the holiday property owner and The Original Cottage Company Limited assumes no liability in this regard. This guide is not intended to be a definitive statement of the law in England & Wales. If you require precise or more detailed information regarding financial, legal and tax legalisation we recommend you seek professional advice.
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