Weather fails to dampen domestic self-catering demand

Demand for domestic self-catering breaks was maintained this summer despite poor weather, according to specialist website HolidayLettings.co.uk.

England replaced France as the second most enquired about destination for the first month ever in August.

This supports the argument that Britons are beginning to feel the pinch of the economic downturn and rising fuel costs, and opting to stay closer to home, weather regardless, the company said.

“The strong demand for British accommodation demonstrates either or both an economical or environmental decision,” said a spokeswoman

“However, it also proves the demand for privately owned, self-catering accommodation in the UK and is a huge wake-up call for owners of second homes who currently don’t rent them out.”

The UK holiday market, local economies and private property owners could all benefit if little-used accommodation was made available for rental.

It is estimated that two million people own second homes in the UK, with a significant number hardly used by their owners in areas such as the Lake District and West Country, HolidayLettings believes.

Second home owners could earn around £10,000 a year based on up to 20 weeks occupancy charged at an average of £500 a week, the company estimated.

“It reaffirms our statement at the beginning of the year about the potential there is in the British holiday home market and the money there is to be made by property owners realising how easy it is to make their home welcoming and suitable for guests,” the spokeswoman said.

However, the lure of the sun meant that August was a month of “contradictory behaviour” from holidaymakers.

“When we experienced downpours on August 12 over 64,000 people visited the site in one day – a statement in itself that bad British summers turn peoples’ thoughts to sunshine seeking elsewhere,” said the spokeswoman.

“July tends to be the busier of the two summer months and it was again this year with over 90,000 booking enquiries sent to homes during the 31 day period and 73,000 sent in August. However, this is still a year on year increase of 29% for August.

“In both July and August we experienced a day of significant rainfall and on both days the site received record numbers of daily visitors.

“What we have experienced this summer is mixture of desire, for sunshine, and of necessity for a holiday, but one within budget.

“This trend will probably continue for some time, but not necessarily to the detriment of any destination because there will always be people who find bargain flights or can afford them at top rate, and there will always be people who prefer to stay in the UK; for the time being the latter is certainly a growing market.”

Top enquiries for August…

Spain: 25%

England: 12%

France: 11%

Canary Islands: 8%

Italy: 6%

 
Three-bedroom apartments, villas and cottages were in most demand.

Apartments without pools but within walking distance of the beach were most popular.

by Phil Davies