UK: Accommodation available in the UK short-term rental sector is ticking the boxes for 2020’s holiday trends [microlidays, slow travel and luxury treats], according to industry body the UK Short-Term Accommodation Association [STAA].
In 2019, 5.2 million UK travellers booked holidays by the end of January and this year, short-term accommodation is set to play a bigger role than ever in people’s holiday plans as the sharing economy is forecast to grow by up to 30 per cent.
Short-term accommodation is particularly well suited to three of the key trends forecast for 2020:
• The rise of ‘Microlidays’– these are three-four day breaks that suit time-poor travellers or those looking for several experiences in 2020. The manageable time periods also suit short-term hosts renting their own homes or rooms within it.
• Slow travel – where people spend more than just one night at a destination, to explore more of a geographical location such as the South West, to make ‘deeper connections’ with the places they stay. Slow travel takes the pressure to tick off all the usual tourist hotspots and emphasises a leisurely-paced, quality-centric itinerary. Short-term rental hosts already promote their local communities and share information about services and experiences on their doorstep with guests so are perfect places to stay. Airbnb cites 85 per cent of UK guests as wanting to ‘live like locals’.
• Luxury treats – people might not be able to afford their dream home, but they can stay in one for a weekend. Companies such as onefinestay and UnderTheDoormat offer high-end properties in a number of UK cities as mini-breaks where families or a group of friends can enjoy a luxury experience for a few nights.
UnderTheDoormat CEO and STAA chair, Merilee Karr, said: “Accommodation in the sharing sector caters really well for many of the anticipated holiday trends in 2020 including the rise of the microliday, slow travel and luxury treats.
“It’s no surprise that the sharing economy is predicted to grow. Platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway are making it much easier for consumers to choose the sort of accommodation that suits their lifestyles and holiday preferences.
“For homeowners, it’s a great way to earn money from their homes when they are away themselves and there is real evidence that short-term letting is beneficial for the communities in which people stay. As the industry’s trade body, our aim is to help support its responsible growth,” she added.
For more information, visit the UK STAA website here.
