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According to research, the carbon footprint of UK tourists has become much more worrisome. The environmental benefits of the massive reduction in travel experienced over the past two years have led many Britons to have a greater intention of returning “home” this year instead of traveling abroad.
The Mintel Domestic Tourism Report * 1 found that more than half (53%) of adults in the UK plan to take a domestic holiday during the 12 months following August 2021, and demand is expected to rise. grow from this spring.
The same Mintel report found that almost a fifth (18%) of those planning to spend more of their holiday in the UK want to do so to limit their carbon footprint and the Mintel Family Holidays report * 2 goes find that 1 in 6 (14%) parents now see carbon reduction as one of their top five factors when choosing a family vacation. In addition to focusing on the environment, Mintel’s research also found that more than a quarter (28%) of British adults said they prioritize the environment more now than before the pandemic.
Short-term rentals offer an attractive accommodation option for environmentally friendly guests. Factors such as reusing existing homes, not having to travel too far, reducing pollution and fuel consumption, being able to buy local produce and spending money on local communities are appealing.
Merilee Karr, President of STAA and CEO of UnderTheDoormat, commented: Many tourists in the UK are now staying in. Given their carbon footprint when it comes to selecting a holiday destination and their choice of accommodation, short-term rentals are a great example of asset recycling. They offer flexible booking conditions, offering flexible booking conditions, in locations that are often less well served by other types of accommodation and are able to deal with larger groups of family or friends for a stay. “experience at home from home”.
A Euromonitor * 4 report showed that the self-contained housing sector, which includes short-term rental, was ahead of other sectors in terms of the value of the recovery in sales for 2021. It is expected that short-term renting is one of the key drivers. of the UK recovery and the sector is expected to reach 2019 levels of around £ 2.1 billion by 2022.
A survey conducted by STAA member Sykes Holiday Cottages * 3 found that, on average, UK tourists plan to spend two stays over the next 12 months, with almost half (46%) saying they limit their stay. its environmental impact is a key consideration when choosing. a break in the UK for overseas travel.
Graham Donoghue, CEO of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “Bookings for our holiday rentals this year are on the roof, proving that the boom in the stay is here to stay. The British are looking to make the most of it. What our beautiful country offers and the choice of independent cuisine still seems like a popular choice – it is clear that environmental considerations are also playing a role in the decision to stay in. This is something we were beginning to observe before the pandemic, but it has really skyrocketed over the last two years. “
Quality in Tourism manages a quality rating system for the tourism and hospitality sector called REST (Responsible, Ethical and Sustainable Travel). The scheme includes on-site and independent assessments, designed to objectively quantify each company’s commitment to the environment, its visitors, its staff, and its suppliers. Companies are compared to four pillars, they are offered a quality brand, and they are offered guidance and support to offer future improvements and changes.
Deborah Heather, CEO of Quality in Tourism, said: “The concept of short-term rental of a recycled house that will allow guests to contribute financially to the community of this house is the ideal solution” for tourists looking for housing options. sustainable accommodation. Through our partnership with STAA, Quality in Tourism has seen an increase in demand for our REST accreditation by more than 300% in the last 2 years. It is a really positive step to communicate a clear message to potential guests of the ecological credentials and the underlying ethics of an owner and his property. “
Sources:
- * 1 Mintel Report – Inland Tourism, UK, 2021 (sample size 2,000 adults)
- * 2Mintel Report – Family Vacation, UK, 2021 (sample size 2,000 adults)
- * 3Sykes Staycation Index, November 2021 (sample of 2,000 UK tourists)
- * 4Euromonitor Report: Accommodation in the UK (September 2021)
United Kingdom Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA)
The UK Short-Term Housing Association (STAA) was founded in March 2017 to support the development of short-term housing in the UK, ensure greater cooperation to meet the common challenges of the industry and take advantage of shared opportunities. It aims to work with all stakeholders to achieve a stable and supportive regulatory environment that promotes the UK as a world leader in the provision of short-term accommodation.