Short Lets and Holiday Lets cash in on eco-conscious vacationers

Representatives of holiday let landlords say they hope to capitalise on the increased number of staycations for economic-conscious  holidaymakers.

They claim the benefits to the environment resulting from the massive reduction in travel experienced over the last two years has led to a greater intent for many Brits to holiday ‘at home’ again this year rather than travel abroad.

Mintel’s report on Domestic Tourism has found that 53 per cent of UK adults planned to take a domestic holiday in the 12 months that followed August 2021, with demand expected to surge from this Spring onwards.

The same Mintel report found that nearly a fifth of those who plan to spend more of their holidays in the UK want to do it to limit their carbon footprint and that one in six parents now see carbon reduction as a factor when considering their choice of family holiday. 

The Mintel research also found that 28 per cent of British adults said they prioritise the environment more now than they did before the pandemic.

Short term rentals provide an attractive accommodation choice for those environmentally-conscious guests. Factors such as reusing existing homes, not having to travel too far thus reducing pollution and fuel usage, being able to buy local produce and spending money in local communities all appeal.

Merilee Karr, chair of the Short Term Accommodation Association, says: “Having seen the benefits to the environment from the reduction in travel and the positive impact their holiday pound has had on the local communities in which they stay, many UK staycationers are now factoring in their carbon footprint when it comes to selecting a holiday destination and their choice of accommodation. 

“Short-term rentals are a great example of recycling existing assets for the mutual benefit of guest and host. They offer flexible booking terms, in locations that are often less well served by other accommodation types and are able to cope with larger groups of families or friends for a ‘home-from-home experience.”

A separate report by Euromonitor showed that the self-contained accommodation sector, which includes short term rentals, was ahead of other sectors in terms of the value of sales recovery for 2021. 

Short-term rentals are forecast to be one of the key drivers of the UK’s recovery and the sector is expected to reach 2019 levels, of around £2.1 billion in 2022.

A survey conducted by STAA member Sykes Holiday Cottages found that, on average, UK holidaymakers are planning to take two staycations in the next 12 months, with almost half saying that limiting their environmental impact is a key consideration when choosing a UK break over foreign travel.

Graham Donoghue, chief executive at Sykes Holiday Cottages, says: “Bookings for our holiday lets this year are through the roof, showing that the staycation boom is here to stay. Brits are looking to make the most of what our beautiful country has to offer and the self-catered option still appears to be a popular choice. 

“Clearly environmental considerations are playing a role in the decision to staycation too. This is something we were starting to observe before the pandemic but it has really taken off over the last two years.”

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