UK Holidaymakers swap the Far East for the West Country this winter, says holiday-home specialist. Demand for long-haul winter sun destinations is down on last year, with Thailand dropping off this year’s “Top 10".
LONDON – Whether it’s a cosy British bolthole, a stylish ski chalet or a warming winter sun retreat, Owners Direct has revealed how Brits will be ‘embracing’, ‘enjoying’ and ‘escaping’ the winter chill this season.
Figures from the holiday home specialist have revealed that families and groups of friends are looking for homey winter “staycations”, which are up 20 per cent on last year, whilst demand for exotic long-haul winter sun destinations, such as Thailand, South Africa and the Caribbean have seen a year-on-year decline. Britons are enjoying UK short breaks and inviting their loved ones to explore the country, discovering Britain’s hamlets and villages and making the most of traditional homes with log fires and inviting interiors.
Owners Direct is crediting the balmy temperatures that the UK has enjoyed this year, particularly during the hazy autumn, for the trend for Britons to swap the far away Far East for the welcoming West Country this winter. It also claims that the warm weather has boosted demand for ski holidays, with four winter sport destinations making the “top 10” for winter 2014/152.
“The UK has enjoyed some beautiful weather this year,” said Erica Chang, Senior Regional Director, Owners Direct. “Nine out of the 10 months, so far, have been warmer than average; September was the driest since 1910 and we have just experienced the hottest Halloween on record.”
“We believe that this warm weather at home has driven the demand we are seeing for cosy winter holidays in the UK, as holidaymakers aren’t experiencing the usual urge to escape to sunnier climes. Whilst Spain, and The Canary Islands in particular, remain top of the list, the UK has seen the biggest year on year hike in demand, up 20 per cent1 on last year and accounting for 27 per cent of total enquiries for the 2014/15 winter season. In contrast Thailand has seen a dramatic dip in demand of 46.2 per cent since last year, knocking it off the 2014/15 winter “top 10” in favour of Switzerland2.
“We feel that the balmy UK weather has also contributed to the rise in popularity of ski destinations, as holidaymakers crave that crisp snowy escape even more when they have been basking in sunshine and warm temperatures at home. France, Switzerland, Austria and USA all appear in the winter 2014/15 “top 10”, compared with only three ski destinations last year.”
Within the UK, pretty properties in Cornwall are the top choice for Brits seeking a winter staycation, followed by homes to relax and enjoy with loved ones in Cumbria, Yorkshire, Devon and Derbyshire.
Owners Direct has more than 75,000 villas, apartments, chalets, cottages and farmhouses to rent throughout the winter season for families and friends to embrace a snowy adventure, enjoy the beauty of the UK or escape the winter chill.
|
Year on Year % Increase/Decrease |
|
|
|
Spain, Balearics & Canary Islands |
4.5% |
|
|
UK & Ireland |
19.1% |
|
|
France |
3.9% |
|
|
USA |
-5.3% |
|
|
Caribbean |
-2.8% |
|
|
India |
-23.4% |
|
|
Portugal |
-12.7% |
|
|
Austria |
-17.5% |
|
|
South Africa |
-13.0% |
|
|
Switzerland |
-2.9% |
|
|
Thailand |
-46.2% |
|
|
Ranking |
Winter 2013/14 |
% Share of enquiries |
Winter 2014/15 |
% Share of enquiries |
|
1 |
Spain, Balearics & Canary Islands* |
38.1% |
Spain, Balearics & Canary Islands* |
38.2% |
|
2 |
UK & Ireland |
24.1% |
UK & Ireland |
27.5% |
|
3 |
France |
17.4% |
France |
17.3% |
|
4 |
USA |
5.2% |
USA |
4.7% |
|
5 |
Caribbean |
2.4% |
Caribbean |
2.2% |
|
6 |
India |
2.1% |
India |
1.5% |
|
7 |
Portugal |
1.8% |
Portugal |
1.5% |
|
8 |
Austria |
1.3% |
Austria |
1.1% |
|
9 |
South Africa |
1.2% |
South Africa |
1.0% |
|
10 |
Thailand |
1.1% |
Switzerland |
0.9% |
Canary Islands alone represented a 32% share of total enquiries in both 2013/14 and 2014/16
|
Ranking |
County |
|
1 |
Cornwall |
|
2 |
Cumbria |
|
3 |
Yorkshire |
|
4 |
Devon |
|
5 |
Derbyshire |
|
6 |
Norfolk |
|
7 |
Dorset |
|
8 |
Gloucestershire |
|
9 |
Sussex |
|
10 |
North Wales |
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
