Owners Direct sees web traffic surge with three quarters of people believing self-catering is better value than a hotel.
More and more people are opting for a self-catering holiday than ever before- believing it’s much better value than staying in a hotel, according to holiday lettings specialists, Owners Direct.
Owners Direct has seen a sharp rise in enquiries for their 37,000 rental properties all over the world as people hunt down the holiday bargains as it becomes more and more important to watch the pennies. With the pound now being worth less in your pocket, many people are looking for ways to save money on their holidays – rather than give them up altogether. 2010 was a year of austerity when many people favoured a ‘Staycation”, but not so this year – despite many feeling worse off.
The boost in enquiries experienced by Owners Direct backs up a survey conducted by the firm last year amongst users of their website, asking which they saw better value in – a hotel or self-catering accommodation. Three quarters of respondents 74 per cent) said they thought self-catering was the best value for money.
Owners Direct puts holidaymakers directly in touch with the owners of properties all over the UK, Europe and beyond, and has seen website enquiries for 2011 rise the most in Spain, France, Portugal and the UK.
Owners Direct are currently experiencing their busiest time of the year with people searching for bargains and deals for February half-term, Easter and into the summer. Bookings have also been boosted in and around London by the Royal Wedding. France and Spain are offering excellent value to thrifty holidaymakers this year, with little difference in the price. The average cost of a typical three bedroom villa in Spain with private pool in high summer costs £!80 per person for a week’s stay whilst France is slightly cheaper at £161.50 per head. Those wanting to save money further should travel inland where the price drops to £148 per person as an average price for both Spain and France.
Restaurant and bar owners in France, Spain and Portugal are giving travellers a helping hand too, by dropping prices this year in a bid to beat the global recession according to a recent report* , making self-catering holidays in these countries an even more attractive option.
Angela Southall, Marketing Manager for Owners Direct said: “Our enquiries for the beginning of the year are definitely echoing the results of our survey – that holidaymakers perceive self-catering as offering the best value for money. It also allows people the freedom to choose when and where to eat and how much to spend on meals out. “People are certainly not prepared to give up their holidays altogether as our most recent results are showing. Many of our owners are also prepared to give special offers and deals which help reduce the price of a holiday even further,” she added. You can find a luxury three bedroom apartment on a golf resort with pool on the Costa Blanca is a real bargain at just £725 for a week in high season, that’s just £121 per person Those prepared to holiday out of the summer season will get the best value for money with the cost at just £425, or an incredible £70.80 per head for a week’s stay. A bargain luxury apartment near Algorfa, Costa Blanca, Spain
In 2011 it is easy to find five star luxury at three star prices. Advertisers are keen to attract bookings to keep their own income flowing and holiday makers can certainly save money on food and drink by catering for themselves. Add to this some great deals on flights during airline sale seasons at the start of the year and you have the perfect ingredient for a cut price luxury holiday.
Notes to editors: Owners Direct specialises in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation direct from the owner. We have advertised holiday properties since 1997 and on our web site you will find over 37,000 villas, apartments, chalets, farmhouses and cottages. From Fincas in Spain to traditional Riads in Morocco and beach villas in Koh Samui, Owners Direct offer all types of holiday accommodation in a diverse selection countries throughout the world. www.ownersdirect.co.uk High resolution images, quotes and images are available on request. Please enquire regarding press trips for features. Please contact Publicity Oxford with all enquiries. catherine@publicityoxford.com or 01235 202284 / eveleen@publicityoxford.com or 01491 520587 Survey undertaken by Owners Direct with a sample of 328 holidaymakers surveyed in September 2010 *Report: Telegraph.co.uk: 24/01/11
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