Investing in holiday-let properties can be a lucrative venture, particularly if you know how to maximise bookings throughout the year. Perhaps the greatest challenge faced by holiday let property owners is sustaining bookings during off-peak or low season. PropertyReporter published a guide that aims to help potential property investors and holiday let owners learn how to keep their properties in-demand, even when warmer months make way for the chill of winter.

The Changing Landscape of Holiday Letting

In recent times, economic pressures have led many UK families to trade expensive overseas holidays for more affordable local alternatives, often termed ‘staycations’. However, as the summer sun gives way to cooler temperatures, holiday let owners may find themselves grappling with the challenge of attracting guests during the colder months.

Attracting Winter Guests: Embrace Seasonal Amenities

To draw guests in the winter period, prioritise amenities that increase the appeal of a cosy holiday staycation. Sykes’ holiday bookings data suggests that properties boasting hot tubs earn, on average, 37% more than those without. Similarly, wood-burning stoves and open fires are alluring features that add a touch of cosiness to your holiday property during cold spells.

If the budget doesn’t stretch to installing hot tubs or fireplaces, you can still make your property more appealing with smaller, cost-effective tweaks. Offering blankets for snuggling, laying rugs on wooden floors for added warmth, or stocking up on games for those cold, rainy days, can all contribute to making your holiday let more inviting.

Expanding Audience Appeal

A crucial strategy to stabilise your winter bookings involves expanding your target audience. With this in mind, consider making your holiday let pet-friendly. Recent Sykes data affirms that pet-friendly properties earn about 31% more. Complement this provision by guiding guests to local scenic walking trails or beaches perfect for a winter walk with their pets.

Moreover, consider tuning your marketing efforts to attract couples who tend to enjoy winter getaways. If you own a property with several double bedrooms, market it as a couples’ retreat, an ideal place for friends to catch up over an extended weekend.

Encourage Short Holiday Breaks

Lately, there’s been a trend towards ‘staycation snacking’, where Brits opt for shorter, more frequent trips. In the low season, in particular, mid-week and weekend breaks are popular.

So, welcoming bookings for short stays of two or three nights might attract more visitors. Sykes’ data supports this approach, suggesting that property owners who allow shorter breaks could boost their earnings by a significant 30%.

Create Stellar First Impressions with Great Photography

Elevated holiday let bookings are often driven by captivating property images. Regardless of how stunning your holiday let might be, the images are what truly capture people’s attention.

Maintain updated, high-quality photographs that highlight the best aspects of your property. If you’ve made any renovations or interior changes, be sure to capture and showcase these in the photographs.

Consider also including photos of nearby amenities to illustrate the variety of activities available in the area, regardless of the weather.

Suggest Enjoyable All-Weather Activities

More than just displaying photos of the local area, in-depth descriptions of tourist attractions and activities form a key component of your holiday let’s appeal. Providing your guests with a clear picture of the diverse attractions and activities available nearby builds anticipation for their stay, regardless of the season.

Consider recommending indoor activities such as tours of local stately homes, short scenic walks for those reluctant to brave the cold for too long, or seasonal activities like Bonfire Night fireworks displays or Christmas markets.

Navigating the winter lull might seem daunting, but with strategic approaches, such as those discussed here, holiday let owners can retain and even grow bookings through the chillier months, turning the low season lull into a lively booking rush.