Cornwall’s Holiday Lets Surge Past Hotels as Travel Trends Evolve

Cornwall’s hospitality landscape is undergoing a major shift, with holiday lets surpassing hotels as the preferred accommodation choice for a growing number of travellers. New data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), analysed by Property Management Software (PMS) specialist RMS Cloud, shows that the county’s short-term rental sector has expanded dramatically, marking a 78% increase over the last decade.

Rise in Holiday Lets as Hotels Decline

The figures reveal a significant trend: Cornwall’s holiday let businesses have increased from 250 in 2013 to 445 in 2023, while the number of hotel operators has declined by 21%, dropping from 320 to 250. This shift is part of a broader national trend, with the UK seeing a 90.7% rise in short-term rental (STR) businesses, from 3,780 in 2013 to 7,219 in 2023.

The changing priorities of travellers, particularly those seeking environmentally friendly and experience-focused accommodation, have played a pivotal role in this shift. Many holidaymakers are opting for properties that provide more space, privacy, and practical amenities, prompting a surge in demand for holiday lets over traditional hotel stays.

National Trends in the Hospitality Sector

Cornwall is one of 260 UK local authorities that saw growth in short-term rental businesses over the past decade, averaging 13.2 new businesses per region. In contrast, hotel sector growth was recorded in only 154 local authorities, with an average of 4.6 new hotel operators per region.

The campground sector has also experienced growth, with UK campgrounds seeing a 35% increase in sites, from 2,495 in 2013 to 3,375 in 2023. Cornwall’s growth exceeded the national average, showing a 37% increase in campground businesses over the same period.

Hotels Face New Pressures as Traveller Preferences Shift

With a third of Brits expected to holiday in the UK this year, the competition for market share has intensified. Davinder Gill, business development executive at RMS Cloud, highlighted the evolving landscape, stating, “In Cornwall, we’ve not only seen the growth in the number of holiday lets and campgrounds, but we’ve actually seen the number of hotel operators decrease, with guests voting with their feet as their travel priorities shift.”

According to Gill, the pressure is on for hotel operators to adapt to these new preferences by embracing options such as personalised, contactless services or even adopting an aparthotel approach, offering guests a “home from home” experience.

For further information on RMS Cloud, visit their website at www.rmscloud.com.