Since the pandemic began, the concept of “staycation” has increased in popularity, according to Google Trends. The percentage of staycation bookings made on Airbnb increased from one-third in February to over a half by May, and TUI has reported an increase in car holiday bookings of up to 100 percent from last year.
“Staycations” offer advantages beyond the obvious infection precautions, both financially and psychologically. This, in turn, is boosting domestic tourism and making people rethink their property investment decisions.
“In an economic climate where so many businesses are on the brink of collapse, there is one industry which is booming. Holiday homes are in higher demand than ever, and the trend doesn’t look to slow down any time soon,” says Anne Visser, Director of Max Crowdfund, an international real estate crowdfunding platform.
#StayAtHome
In a world where international travel is often subject to Covid testing, quarantine measures and additional bureaucratic procedures affecting the crossing of borders, staying close to home is often cheaper and certainly more practical than travelling further afield, especially for families with children. Many holidaymakers are opting to travel in their own vehicles this year, which is economically preferable, and safer, than flying, taking a train or going on a cruise.
The global tourism industry, which has suffered a violent and unforeseen blow, is counting on this surge in staycations for its recovery. Increasingly, hotels, holiday homes and resorts are designing staycation packages, intent on limiting the damage to the floundering tourism economy.
A Global Trend
It seems that social distancing has reawakened the nature seekers in all of us, taking tourists to the countryside, secluded beaches and mountain retreats, rediscovering our own countries by car or caravan, and seeking relaxation in campsites, rental homes and holiday homes.
The Covid-19 pandemic also seems to have created a new demand for unique and private staycation spots. In June, a luxury staycation brand, A Travel Circle, was launched in India. Its founder, Pritish Shah says,
“The changing travel expectations in the new normal world align very well with our offerings — private villas for social distancing, private jets to avoid commercial airports, highest standards in safety with our carefully selected hospitality partners and other service vendors.”
Many European countries are also encouraging their citizens to holiday at home, in order to help boost local economies rather than spending their money abroad. For instance, the #EnFamiliaPorEspaña incentive is sweeping across Spain, a country that relies heavily on international tourism. According to Spanish publication El Correo, 91% of Spanish families are considering holidaying within the Spanish territories, most of whom are choosing to travel by car.
According to the Times, the wealthiest of French tourists unable to travel abroad this season are choosing to vacation in luxury villas at home. Le Collectionist, an upmarket holiday rental site in France, says it is experiencing a record season following a spike in demand from customers prepared to pay thousands of euros per night.
TUI has reported a sharp increase in the number of car holiday bookings in the past three weeks, in some cases up to a 100 percent increase from last year. This is especially true for Austria and Germany, as well as Switzerland.
In the Netherlands
The demand for holiday parks in the Netherlands is up by 40 percent when compared to the same period last year, according to parkvakanties.nl, a website affiliated with large holiday parks such as Landal and Roompot. According to spokesperson Laurens Taekema, “some parks in the North, Zeeland and the Wadden Islands are already fully booked for July.” He also believes that holidaymakers should not hold out for special offers, as prices are set to rise rather than fall.
Jens van den Broek, Director of Micazu, a website on which Dutch owners rent out their holiday homes, confirms that “the prices for a holiday home in the Netherlands in the high season are indeed rising.”
Almost all holiday homes are already booked for the high season on his platform, with a 5 percent availability rate this month and just 10–15 percent availability in the Netherlands in the first two weeks of August.
Investing in Holiday Homes
It would seem that just as the stability of traditional property investment sectors is falling (with businesses unable to pay their commercial rent and individuals unable to meet their domestic rents, hotels and restaurants unable to meet occupancy levels etc.) the holiday home sector is booming.
“No matter how damaged the general economy seems to get, there are always enough people who want to go on holiday. And at the moment, and for the foreseeable future, that means holidaying at home.” says Esther Dekker, Real Estate Advisor at Max Property Group.
Investors in recreational properties within holiday parks are able to enjoy their own luxury villas for several weeks a year, whilst simultaneously generating a healthy rental income.
“Investing in a holiday home might just be one of the smartest investments post-Covid-19!” adds Dekker.
Max Property Group has begun selling holiday homes within holiday parks, and the first project is already live, namely Zuytland Buiten.
Zuytland Buiten is located in Simonshaven, which is a village on the island of Voorne Putten, and part of the popular recreation area of Bernisse.
The first phase of the park was built during 2006–2008 and consists of 105 waterfront units. Phase II, which is being developed by Whoonapart and marketed by Max Property Group via Max Crowdfund is an expansion of the existing park and will consist of an additional 76 units.
The project developer who has structured the expansion is owned and managed by Jaco Poldervaart who is originally from Voorne Putten and the construction company, Tetteroo Bouw & Projectontwikkeling B.V. from The Hague, has already been operational for more than 90 years.
The holiday park itself is being managed by an internationally acclaimed park operator with close to 100-holiday parks under management, in 6 European countries.
Prices start from as little as €212,691 and for more information, and to add your name to the waiting list, you can visit the project’s page on the Max Crowdfund website.
