UK: Data from online booking platform eviivo has revealed a three-fold increase in the number of holiday bookings between April and May, with nearly 60 per cent of these stays before the end of August.
Hotel bookings increased by 216 per cent, whereas reservations for vacation rentals spiked by 716 per cent.
Despite the large incline, eviivo reports that demand is still only 28 per cent of the total bookings in the same period in 2019.
Paul Saxby, marketing director, at eviivo said: “With the uncertain times we are in, it’s really encouraging to see positive increases in bookings. There may be light at the end of the tunnel for British holidaymakers, many of whom I’m sure are longing for a holiday like never before.
“It’s interesting to see the spike in bookings for vacation rental properties, most likely because they allow guests to follow social distancing guidance. With the cleanliness standards in place supported by contactless check-ins and the ability to space bookings out automatically; the property owners that are most able to adapt to these measure are more likely to draw guests in to staying at their selected properties.”
The data was collected 11 May 2020, for the period 1 April 2020 to 6 May 2020.
eviivo is a booking specialist for independent hotels and B&Bs across Europe. It represents over 6,600 accommodations in the UK and over 16,000 worldwide.
Michele Fitzpatrick, CEO at eviivo, recently spoke to BHN about the likelihood of B&Bs to open “long before larger properties” when travel restrictions are lifted.
