Holidaycottages.co.uk reports a surge in demand, with the South West and Wales currently top of UK travellers’ 2021 wish lists

Self-catering specialist holidaycottages.co.uk has seen a marked increase in demand for holidays since the end of last week, suggesting that UK travellers are starting to feel more confident about planning their staycation this year.

Bookings taken by holidaycottages.co.uk since Saturday (16th January) are 85% up compared to the previous week, whilst overall bookings from Easter onwards are currently 37% ahead of where they were at the same point last year.

Marketing Director at holidaycottages.co.uk, Matt Brayley comments:

“So many of us rediscovered the joys of a staycation last summer and early autumn, which has resulted in a lot of people rebooking for 2021. This, coupled with reservations carried over from our customers who chose to defer their holiday from 2020 to this year, means significantly more properties are already booked from Easter onwards.

"Whilst the normal rush to book since Boxing Day has been quieter this year, with people naturally cautious due to the evolving situation and restrictions, since Saturday we’ve seen an 85% increase in bookings compared to last week as people begin to think about a staycation.

"It goes without saying that everyone should only travel when it’s safe to do so, and we will be guided by the Government on this, but we’d certainly recommend people start making plans sooner rather than later, to avoid missing out on their first choice properties.”

Current data and customer research from holidaycottages.co.uk also shows:

• Devon, Cornwall and Wales are the most popular destinations that people are considering for 2021, with half of all bookings taken since Saturday being for these locations.

• An increase of 214% in bookings from those wishing to take their four-legged friends on a UK break from Easter onwards – a combination of more people planning a staycation this year plus the increase in dog ownership during lockdown.

• 59% of people asked in a recent customer survey (of 3,394 respondents) said they are more likely to consider a UK break once restrictions are lifted;

• Whilst 97% said they wish to go on holiday as much as they did previously once the pandemic is over.

TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY

The safety of guests, property owners and the local communities they visit remains of paramount importance, once travelling restrictions are lifted. Holidaycottages.co.uk always encourages its guests to travel responsibly, and has created a Responsible Holidays Charter – including information on acting appropriately within the Government’s coronavirus guidance – which it encourages all its guests to read and act upon.

BOOKING WITH CONFIDENCE

Holidaycottages.co.uk is all too aware that these are uncertain times for customers when considering a holiday and offers a number of flexible options for guests in the event that their holiday needs to be cancelled due to future tier changes and lockdowns. Detailed information about the company’s coronavirus policies, which adhere strictly to Government guidelines and have been developed to be fair both to guests and to property owners, can be found in this helpful FAQs section of its website.