Cottages.com reports trend for larger group staycations

Hoseasons’ sister company cottages.com is reporting an increasing trend of larger group staycations.

The accommodation specialist, sold to agents through Hoseasons, is predicting ‘celebration houses’ will become a trend for 2023 as more extended families and groups club together to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis.

Bookings for accommodation sleeping nine or more people are up by 38% for July and August arrivals next year over the last four weeks compared with the same period last year for 2022.

Paul Evans, vice president – portfolio, at parent company Awaze said clients were still booking but were changing their booking habits in light of the current economic downturn and sharing the costs of a break by sharing one larger ‘celebration house’ property.

He said: “We know from recent consumer research that holidays are one of the last things people want to cut back on as budgets tighten, and these figures reflect that trend.

“Bigger properties offer a fantastic way for holidaymakers to share the costs of their break, at the same time as spending quality time with those who matter most – something that has taken on greater significance since Covid and is driving demand for celebration houses.”

“It’s also clear to see from the mix of adults and children in these bigger parties that multi-generational trips are on the up and we fully expect that trend to continue over the next couple of years.”

Bookings across the entire cottages.com portfolio are up, by 16% over the last four weeks compared to the same pre-pandemic period in 2019. Evans added the figures were a sign of strong sales to come in the new year.