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Over the past week, we have seen high levels of demand for the summer months, with bookings in July and August increasing by 126% compared to the same time last year.

And with a search increase of 129% on the Sykes Holiday Cottages website, it’s clear that more Brits than ever are choosing to forgo holidays abroad, opting instead to stay on UK soil.

The figures show customers are feeling positive and looking towards a summer that gives them something good to focus on and look forward to, which is welcome news for local businesses and property owners across the UK.


Graham Donoghue, CEO at Sykes Holiday Cottages, said:

“We’ve seen a significant increase in bookings for later this year, showing that confidence is returning and just how eager we all are to take a much-needed break away this year.

“With millions more Brits now choosing to forgo foreign holidays in favour of UK breaks, not only is it a huge boost for the UK economy, but it is also adding to the attractiveness of holiday letting as an investment opportunity.

“We’ve witnessed a strong pipeline of enquiries in recent months from those who are new to holiday letting or wanting to rent out their second home to make the most of this staycation boom in Britain. Offering an average income of £21,000 per year, the revenue opportunities in the years ahead could be substantial.”


With travel abroad remaining uncertain, it’s no surprise people are looking to spend their holidays closer to home.

Nobody could have foreseen the events of 2020; it was a year like no other, with the coronavirus pandemic bringing challenges and difficulties to all kinds of businesses – not just in the UK – but also across the globe.

For Sykes Holiday Cottages it was no different; in fact, the travel sector was one of the industries hit the hardest as trips and holidays all had to be cancelled and everyone was urged to stay at home.

But as 2021 gets under way, and with more and more people receiving vaccinations,  it seems that there may well be some light at the end of the tunnel for the UK travel sector, with this clear evidence that the nation’s confidence in booking trips is returning.

With so much history, stunning scenery and exceptional experiences available to us right on our doorstep, there’s never been a better time for us to appreciate and explore the gems that our country has to offer. With so many great cottages to choose from at Sykes, the biggest dilemma will be choosing where to go.

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