"New, tighter regulations for holiday let owners in parts of the UK have resulted in some uncertainty and an undeniably trickier period for them, but positively our latest research and bookings data shows that owners are in for a busy year ahead"
- Ben Edgar Spier - Sykes Holiday Cottages
The average Brit is preparing to take a total of three staycations this year.
That’s according to new research from Sykes Holiday Cottages which reveals that three in 10 (30%) UK adults won’t be holidaying abroad over the next year as the cost-of-living crisis continues to stretch household finances.
Concerns for the environment (18%) and foreign conflict (17%) also appear to be putting Brits off jetting abroad, with many instead choosing to discover what lies closer to home.
Sykes’ booking data separately shows that the cost-of-living crisis is impacting how people travel in the UK, with the holiday let agency witnessing a significant increase in the volume of late bookings and short breaks in 2024.
When it comes to destinations, Cornwall tops the wish list as the number one location people plan to visit, while those with holiday lets in regions such as the Scottish Highlands and Devon are continuing to attract more visitors.
Rounding out the top five for the most popular UK destinations for 2024 were Yorkshire and the Isle of Wight, with Yorkshire notably losing its top spot from the 2023 rankings and the latter moving up from 10th to 5th place.
New additions to the top ten staycation hotspots include the scenic Scottish Borders and the southern coastal county of Dorset, both renowned for their dramatic landscapes and beautiful walks, and ranking 6th and 10th respectively.
Ben Edgar Spier, Head of Regulation and Policy at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “New, tighter regulations for holiday let owners in parts of the UK have resulted in some uncertainty and an undeniably trickier period for them, but positively our latest research and bookings data shows that owners are in for a busy year ahead.
“From council tax premiums in certain areas of Wales to introducing a different licensing scheme in each council area of Scotland, the regulations have posed lots of questions and confusion for owners, but at Sykes Holiday Cottages we are here to offer the guidance and support they need.
“We will continue to engage with Government this year to contribute our insight and experience and showcase the enormous value our sector generates, while also guiding our owners through any changes.”
