Holidu introduces ‘eco properties’ search filter
Germany: Munich-based vacation rental portal Holidu is supporting the demand for sustainable vacations by introducing a new ‘eco properties’ search filter.
If the filter is activated, only vacation rentals that meet sustainable criteria will appear. To be labelled as ‘eco’, an accommodation unit must meet at least eight of 43 environmentally friendly criteria that are defined by Holidu, including the likes of waste separation, green electricity and water-saving systems.
In addition, the accommodations are marked with the ‘eco’ label on the search and details page so that they are also visible in a search without an active filter.
Accommodations marked as eco-friendly are catching on: vacation rentals with the label, which was already introduced back in October 2021, were on average 20 per cent more likely to be booked in the last 12 months.
Holidu CEO Johannes Siebers said: “The data shows that there is great interest among travellers and that many prioritise sustainability when looking for vacation accommodation. We enable travellers to consciously choose accommodation where hosts have taken steps toward sustainability.”
The vacation rental portal offers a catalogue of vetted vacation accommodations, and there are already more than 6,000 accommodations in Europe that are tagged with the active ‘eco property’ search filter. Holidu works with hosts and providers so that information about any sustainability measures in the accommodation description is shared transparently.
Hosts receive a further incentive to invest in sustainability measures with the visibility created by the filter and the label, and the feature aims to increase the number of guests who book more sustainable accommodations.
In addition, Holidu offers a filter for accommodations with a charging station directly at the accommodation – for example, travellers visiting Italy can choose from 9,409+ accommodations that allow convenient charging of their e-car at the house. Likewise, there are now many offers in France [9,571 accommodations] and Germany [9,357].
In June 2022, Holidu and its subsidiary Bookiply conducted a survey among hosts: 40 per cent of respondents in Germany said they would like to offer a charging station for e-vehicles directly at the accommodation in the future. In Italy, 25 per cent of vacation home owners want this, and in Spain, it stands at 19 per cent.
A survey of 2,471 hosts from Germany, Spain and Italy was conducted by Holidu in February and showed that vacation rental owners are making an effort to be sustainable. For example, 76 per cent of hosts in Germany have already retrofitted their property to save energy.
Most notably, landlords invested in thermostats [61 per cent], thermal insulation [58 per cent] and water-saving systems in the shower, toilet and faucets [57 per cent] in the vacation rental. Solar panels were also installed [36 per cent].
In Spain [48 per cent] and Italy [52 per cent], around half of the hosts have invested in energy-saving measures; in Spain, mainly in water-saving systems and solar panels, in Italy, primarily in thermostats and heat insulation.
Since 2019, Holidu has been climate-neutral and offsets all CO2 emissions generated by the operational processes and indispensable travel of its employees.
Founded in 2014, Holidu closed a$98 million [€100 million+] Series E funding round in October to expand in Germany and across Europe. The Series E round was led by global venture capital firm 83North, with participation from Northzone, HV Capital, Vintage Investment Partners, Commonfund Capital, Prime Ventures, EQT Ventures, coparion, Senovo, Lios Ventures and Possible Ventures.
