The carbon footprint of UK holidaymakers has become much more of a concern according to research. The environmental benefits resulting from the massive reduction in travel recorded over the past two years have led many Britons to have a greater intention of holidaying ‘at home’ this year rather than traveling abroad.

Mintel’s Domestic Tourism Report*1 found that more than half (53%) of UK adults plan to take a holiday in the country in the 12 months to August 2021, with demand expected to increase from this spring.
The same Mintel report found that nearly a fifth (18%) of those planning to spend more of their holidays in the UK want to do so to limit their carbon footprint and the Mintel Family Holidays report* 2 revealed that 1 in 6 (14%) parents now consider reducing carbon emissions as one of their top five factors when considering their choice of family vacation. Along with the focus on the environment, Mintel research also found that more than a quarter (28%) of UK adults said they valued the environment more now than they did. did before the pandemic.
Short-term rentals offer an attractive accommodation choice for environmentally conscious guests. Factors such as reusing existing homes, not having to travel too far thus reducing pollution and fuel consumption, the ability to buy local products and spend money in local communities are all attractive.

Merilee Karr, STAA President and CEO of UnderTheDoormat, said: “Having seen the environmental benefits of reduced travel and the positive impact their holiday book has had on the local communities in which they stay , many UK holidaymakers are now taking their carbon footprint into account when choosing a holiday destination and their choice of accommodation. Short-term rentals are a great example of recycling existing assets for the mutual benefit of guest and host. They offer flexible booking conditions, in locations often less well served by other types of accommodation and are able to cope with larger groups of families or friends for a ‘home-like experience’.

A report by Euromonitor*4 showed that the self-catering accommodation sector, which includes short-term rentals, was ahead of other sectors in terms of the value of the sales recovery for 2021. Short-term rentals are expected to be a key driver of the UK recovery and the sector is expected to reach 2019 levels of around £2.1bn in 2022.

A survey by STAA member Sykes Holiday Cottages*3 found that on average UK holidaymakers plan to take two stays over the next 12 months, with almost half (46%) saying the limit on their environmental impact is a key consideration when choosing. a break in the UK on overseas travel.

Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Bookings for our holiday rentals this year have exploded, showing that the holiday boom is here to stay. Brits are looking to make the most of what our beautiful country has to offer and the self-catering option always seems to be a popular choice. Obviously, environmental considerations also play a role in the decision to stay. It’s something we were starting to see before the pandemic, but it’s really taken off in the last two years.

Quality in Tourism operates a quality ranking system for the tourism and hospitality industry called REST (Responsible, Ethical & Sustainable Travel). The program includes independent, on-site ranking assessments designed to objectively quantify each company’s commitment to the environment, its visitors, its staff and its suppliers. Businesses are assessed against four cornerstones, awarded a quality mark, and given guidance and support to make future improvements and changes.

Deborah Heather, CEO of Quality in Tourism, said: “The short-term rental concept of recycling a home that will allow guests to contribute economically to the community of that home is the ‘go-to’ solution for tourists looking sustainable accommodation options. Through our partnership with STAA, Quality in Tourism has seen demand for our REST accreditation increase by over 300% over the past 2 years. It’s a really positive step in communicating a clear message to potential customers about green credentials and the underlying ethics of a landlord and their property.”

Sources:

• *1Mintel Report – Domestic Tourism, UK, 2021 (sample size 2,000 adults)
• *2Mintel Report – Family Holidays, UK, 2021 (sample size of 2,000 adults)
• *3Sykes Staycation Index, November 2021 (sample of 2,000 UK holidaymakers)
• *4Euromonitor Report: Accommodation in the UK (September 2021)

The British Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA)

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA) was founded in March 2017 to support the development of short term accommodation in the UK, ensure greater cooperation to address common industry challenges and seize shared opportunities . It seeks to work with all stakeholders towards a stable and supportive regulatory environment that promotes the UK as a world leader in the provision of short-term accommodation.