Holiday home specialist Interhome saw winter season sales (1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019) from the UK & Ireland close up at +31%.
LONDON – Interhome has experienced a trend towards UK and Irish guests booking higher quality properties in resorts, which are home to its Local Service Offices. This is one of the trends reflected in the current holiday home report released today by Interhome. The survey looks back at the Winter 2018/19 season and forecasts the Summer 2019 season, based on its current pan-European sales data.
Holiday home specialist Interhome saw winter season sales (1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019) from the UK & Ireland close up at +31%. "We benefitted from a move away from catered chalets towards self-catering properties across EU ski regions and snow conditions in the Swiss Alps were very good this winter" says Danny Waine, Business Development Manager UK & Ireland. "The late Easter also opened up destinations such as Italy, the UK and the Netherlands" he adds. The first trends for the summer season 2019 show that Spain remains the most popular holiday destination.
Greater freedom and more added value
In the past financial year, whilst experiencing a growth in sales, Interhome has increased its number of Local Service Offices across Europe; now operating such local offices in 9 countries including Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy and Portugal.
Interhome's Local Service Offices are responsible, among other things, for the welcome, handing over of keys and care of the guests during their stay; as well as for the management of the apartments and holiday homes.
"As our guests seek more freedom and flexibility, the added value generated by these guests in the respective destinations is not insignificant, for example, many of the families and couples buy the food locally or eat in a local restaurant. This added value is also reciprocated by our Local Service Offices, in the personal service they offer to our guests and partners; with their local expertise" says Danny Waine. In addition, the holiday homes need to be constantly maintained and cleaned again after each occupancy. "That's why we hire cleaning staff from the local region," he adds.
Review UK & Ireland – Winter 2018/2019
Shift towards self-catering in EU ski resorts
France is the most popular winter destination with UK and Irish Interhome guests with 34% share; most of these guests spent their holidays in the French Alps. The fastest growing ski destination for 2018/19 was Austria, with a growth in bookings of +63% and sales to Finland grew by +46%; assisted by a move towards self-catering accommodation from catered chalets across the EU.
Increase in sales to Interhome exclusive product
Bookings to destinations where Interhome has Local Service Offices and mostly exclusive product, from the UK and Ireland saw a +26% increase year-on-year. Whilst globally, sales to its exclusive Swisspeak Resorts in Valais and Graunbunden experienced significant growth.
The Netherlands – Dutch Holiday parks fuelling growth
In the past winter season, the Netherlands experienced an increase of +136% from UK and Ireland, mainly due to guests choosing to stay in holiday parks across the country. This was aided by a greater product range introduced by Interhome over the last 12 months across the Netherlands and the timing of the late Easter holidays in April 2019.
Switzerland remains the top winter destination for international guests
For winter holidays, Switzerland is the clear number 1 among Interhome’s international guests. Overall, 31% of Interhome guests travelled to Switzerland during the winter months. This is followed by France, Austria, Spain and Germany.
Outlook UK & Ireland – Summer 2019
Spain remains in top spot for summer from the UK & Ireland For the coming summer, holidays to Spain remain the most popular for UK & Irish guests. According to initial trends, around 30% will spend their holidays in Spain during the summer months. Typically, the Costa Blanca, followed by the Costa Del Sol, are the most popular regions.
Staycations & ‘Destination UK’ on the rise
Interhome has experienced an increase in stays in its UK product. With an increase in UK staycation guest numbers of +122% for 2019, making up a share of 34% of Destination UK sales and now alongside Germany (35%), as top bookers of Interhome UK properties.
Higher quality standard
Average booking values for Interhome UK & Ireland’s top three summer destinations (Spain, France and Italy) are up by 7% and staycations have seen an increase in ABV of +23%; suggesting guests are selecting more upmarket properties, both at home and abroad. This is mirrored in UK & Irish guests proportion of 4* & 5* stays at 29%, above the Interhome global average of 23%.
Whilst France remains most popular in summer for international guests
During the summer months, France remains the top destination with a share of 21% of all Interhome bookings (previous year: 19%); closely followed by Spain, then Italy, Croatia and Switzerland making up the top five.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
