SW Tourism How's Business Survey

A couple of pieces on the "How's Business" survey undertaken by SW Tourism. Generally the view is:

• 30-40% are up a bit
• 30-40% are down a bit

So overall it looks about the same but people are probably putting a bit of a positive spin on things so the real figure is probably a bit down on 07.

Read articles:

This is South Devon article

SW Tourism Blog

Self catering visitor numbers for 2009

What will demand be like for UK self catering holidays next year? There are a number of factors in play and the overall position will be driven by a combination of them.

Factors driving demand up

• Less money in people's pockets leading to downtrading from hotels to self catering
• Airline capacity is likely to fall next year as carriers merge or close - read Times article - leading to increased cost of overseas holidays
• Green concerns
• People choosing to have a number of close at home short breaks over extended holidays
• Weak pound making UK more attractive to overseas guests
• Weak pound making overseas holidays more expensive to UK travellers
  

Factors driving demand down

• Less money in people's pockets leading to downtrading from self catering to camping
• Credit crunch leading to holidays being cancelled altogether
• Flight costs making travel to UK more expensive for overseas guests
  
• The weather over the last 2 years

The outcome is hard to predict. If I were to have a bet I would say that, if the weather is good, demand will be up slightly overall. If the weather is the same as this year then visitor numbers will probably hold at this year's levels, which for many operators has been slightly down on 2007.

St Ives and search volumes

We have just taken on some self catering properties in St Ives.

St Ives is a lovely spot and I would expect demand for holidays there to remain pretty bouyant, even through hard times. So far this year search volumes have remained fairly in line with 2007, as shown by the google data below for searches on 'st ives holiday', though you can see that searches in January were down.

However, January was down on all the main UK holiday searches, such as 'cornwall holiday':

Demand for holidays, as measured by search volume on key terms, has been slightly down year on year. If you are investing then look for popular places such as St Ives that should remain relatively strong for demand.

Beside the Seaside

This article from the Independent suggests that in a depressed market homes with a view should better hold their value.

The article highlights Regatta Court in Exmouth. It's a good development with great views and a popular choice for self catering though, as always, make sure there aren't any covenants against holiday lets.

West Cornwall property prices

The Times thinks that West Cornwall could perform better than the rest of the country - read article.

Close to Penzance, with a rail link to Paddington, it believes that Mousehole and Newlyn will benefit from the marina being built there. I also think that Marazion, with St Michaels Mount, would be a good long term bet. Miller Countrywide have a number of apartments available in a new period conversion, Feliskirk Court.

Times article

Here's a good article from the Times with some summary points on things to remember - click here.

Credit Crunch

The impact of the credit crunch on UK holidays next year is unclear. There are factors suggesting that it will increase as overseas holidays become relatively more expensive (worsening pound, increasing flight costs) but there is always the risk that people will cancel holiday plans entirely.

This Telegraph article suggests they will become more popular, though suggests there may also be a further shift to shorter breaks, a trend that has been very apparent over the last couple of years.

A room with a view

Booking levels are generally driven by (in no particular order):

• Location
• Exterior appearance
  
• Size and facilities
  
• Decor
• View
• Price

If you are looking for maximum occupancy then make sure your property has a great view. A nice looking property inside which has a glorious view when looking out should help maximise bookings.

Here are a couple of attractive character properties up for sale in great locations in Looe and Dartmouth, with fabulous waterside views:> View Guardian article

Energy Assessments (EPCs) and holiday lets

As from 1 October new build houses and houses being rented out need to have an Energy Performance Certificate.

Fortunately, it seems that holiday lets do not need to have a certificate, unless they are rented out to the same person for more than 3 months.

There doesn't seem to be an official site stating this but here are 3 assessment firms that think this is the case:

http://www.cdmmuk.co.uk/domestic_energy_performance_certificates.htm

http://dolphin-epc.co.uk/page_1203968258456.html

http://www.energyassessorlincs.co.uk/landlord_epc.htm

If anyone knows an official site that confirms this please post a link in a comment.

Celebs hit Newquay

Who could it be.......Who could it be........

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/homepagenews/Celebrities-resort-map/article-347331-detail/article.html

The excitement is palpable.

Let's just hope they're better than someone starring in Hollyoaks or Casualty. Maybe Johnny Depp popped over whilst tacking a break from filming in Plymouth?