February 2021
Amongst the worry and concern about the implications of the Coronavirus incident over the past year, there is one Bournemouth based small business that can see a very positive outlook. Bournecoast Holiday Agents, a family run holiday letting agency based in Bournemouth since 1960, are predicting a holiday letting staycation boom as the country navigates its way through the Government’s recently announced roadmap out of lockdown.
It is expected that domestic overnight stays in self-contained accommodation will be allowed (with the same household) from 12th April 2021. From this stage until the start of Step 3 which is expected to be no earlier than 17th May 2021 people will be able to stay in self-catering accommodation but hotels and other accommodation providers will not yet be open. It is forecasted that this will be a very busy period so Bournecoast are urging people to send their enquiries as soon as possible if they are keen to book a holiday home or apartment in Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch.
Des Simmons, Bournecoast’s Managing Director, said “Staycations are going to be very popular this year and we have seen a 130% increase in bookings from the day of the Government announcement on Monday to the day after and a 1500% increase in bookings since a week ago. We can all finally see the light at the end of this long tunnel! If you are considering a staycation this year to take a well deserved break as the lockdown restrictions ease, please do book as early as possible as we would hate for you to miss out.”
He continues, “Millions of Brits think UK beaches are among the best in the world, with Bournemouth beach voted the nation's number one and according to a recent TripAdvisor survey it being ranked 5th best in Europe and among the top 25 in the world we understand why people are so keen to visit this area.”
Last year Bournemouth Beach saw a surge of visitors when lockdown was eased and there was a lot of concern around the potential spreading of Coronavirus and a localised outbreak. According to Prof Mark Woolhouse, an epidemiologist at Edinburgh University who sits on the government’s SPI-M committee, there was very little of danger of such an outbreak and he has suggested that no outbreaks were ever linked to beach trips as some people were predicting. This is very good news for those wanting to enjoy a safe holiday in the UK this year.
Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch are tourist destinations which rely on tourism. With over 11 million visitors per year and over 750 self-catering units, tourism contributes over £950,000,000 to the local economy. Whilst there has been an impact on the number of bookings and cancellations during the control measures during the tiers and lockdowns, looking forward the area should benefit from an increase in UK national travel. This may well be enhanced further whilst the UK Government take time to review how international trips can resume safely.
With such a boom anticipated the main priority for self-catering agencies like Bournecoast is to ensure they have enough holiday properties available for the large numbers of visitors expected to visit the area. Bournecoast are looking to encourage as many landlords as possible to offer their properties for short term holiday lettings so there are not hundreds of families left disappointed with nowhere to stay for their much needed break away this year.
Bournecoast Holiday Agents manage over 200 properties, the majority of which are let on a holiday let and winter let basis throughout Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. Most of the properties are advertised on the Bournecoast, Airbnb, Holiday Lettings, TripAdvisor, HomeAway and Vrbo websites giving them very large exposure to potential holiday visitors which results in them confirming approximately 35,000 tourist nights each year.
If you are interested in holiday letting your property, or for further information, please call one of the Bournecoast team on 01202 437888, email them at propertyowners@bournecoast.co.uk or visit their website www.bournecoast.co.uk.