The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Where the early-birds flock
After a summer of high-risk foreign travel and ever-changing restrictions, it was no surprise that the UK holiday rentals market boomed like never before. But even as the world begins to open up again, with last week’s welcome news of the traffic-light system being shelved, the staycation surge shows no signs of slowing.
Quite the reverse, in fact. It seems the pandemic has opened our eyes to the splendours of our own archipelago, giving rise to a new tribe: the super-early-bird bookers, determined to beat the rush – not just for next year, but beyond.
“We anticipate that 2022 will be another excellent year for the British staycation,” says Francesca Reed of Unique Homestays, which reports UK bookings for next summer up more than fourfold on the usual number.
Glamping specialist Canopy & Stars confirms the same, with some of its more popular properties, such as the Bowcombe Boathouse in Devon, already largely booked from April to August 2022.
Meanwhile, luxury property rental agency the Wow House Company has
had such an onslaught of enquiries for its portfolio of amazing party houses that for the first time it has released dates two years in advance to cater to those who have already lost out on their dream holiday homes for next year.
“We are experiencing unprecedented demand for 2022, with coastal properties almost entirely sold out already for next summer,” says managing director David Kiernan. “In fact, we are already taking booking requests for summer 2023.” Most in demand, he says, are properties that sleep 10-20, with swimming pools, in Cornwall and Devon – no surprise there.
But it is heartening to hear that the boom has also led to a growing interest in less-visited areas of the country. “This summer, trending seaside destinations have all been outside the usual tourist hotspots, including Sandgate in Kent,” says Amanda Cupples, homestay giant Airbnb’s general manager for Northern Europe. Sykes Holiday Cottages, meanwhile, put Wales in the top spot for this year, with Barmouth near Cardigan Bay one of its fastest-growing locations.
That trend looks set to continue, with Wales topping 2022 booking lists for both holidaycottages.co.uk and Unique Homestays.
“Wales is seeing a surge in interest – a trend that seems to be prevailing in the luxury market,” says Unique Homestays’ Reed. “With continuing uncertainty and complexity surrounding international travel, guests are wanting a sense of true escapism and these remote locations afford an opportunity to experience this without needing to fly.”