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Trwyn Du Lighthouse at Penmon Point in Wales

The holiday let market in North Wales continues to thrive, despite the challenges posed by shifting economic conditions and unpredictable weather patterns…

At Menai Holidays, 2024 was another great year, marked by strong booking trends and evolving guest preferences. While winter and spring saw slightly lower occupancy rates due to persistent wet weather, summer and autumn rebounded with an impressive 85% average occupancy. Notably, guests increasingly opted for multiple short breaks rather than a single extended stay, reflecting a shift in travel habits.

In this blog, we’ll take you through valuable insights from our North Wales Holiday Letting Market Insight Report for 2024. Whether you’re an established holiday home owner or considering entering the market, understanding guest behaviour and industry developments is crucial for maximising success and helping you stay ahead in an ever-changing landscape.

Contact us on newowners@menaiholidays.co.uk for a full copy of our North Wales Market Insight Report 2024, or head to our Let Your Cottage page.

Carry on reading as we dive into the key trends shaping the North Wales holiday let market…


An Overview of the Holiday Let Market with Menai Holiday Cottages

The holiday letting market continues to evolve, and at Menai Holidays, 2024 was a year of growth, resilience, and achievement. We are proud to now market and manage 833 properties across North Wales, helping owners maximise their bookings and guests find the perfect stay.

Understanding changing guest preferences is essential for holiday let owners looking to maximise bookings. Key insights from 2024 include:

  • Increased Demand for Short Breaks: 44% of bookings in North Wales were for three, four, or five-night stays, up from 37% in 2023.
  • Couples Leading the Market: 40% of all bookings were made by couples, followed by families (31%), adult groups (27%), and solo travellers (2%).
  • Spontaneous Travel: 2% of August bookings were made on the same day as arrival, highlighting the rise in last-minute getaways.

In recognition of our continued commitment to exceptional holiday experiences, we were proud to win GOLD at the 2024 British Travel Awards as part of Sykes Holiday Cottages.


Top-Performing Properties in 2024

The following properties achieved outstanding success last year, demonstrating how a well-presented and strategically managed holiday home can drive strong bookings:

1. Meadow Lodge, Corwen – 68 bookings in 2024, 3 already for 2025

2. Sea View Cottage, Menai Bridge – 59 bookings in 2024, 9 already for 2025

3. Gwyndy Bach, Beddgelert – 58 bookings in 2024, 15 already for 2025

4. Ysgol Fach, Tyn-y-Gongl – 56 bookings in 2024, 30 already for 2025

4. Long Cottage, Beaumaris – 55 bookings in 2024, 19 already for 2025


How to Maximise Your Holiday Let’s Potential

If you’re looking to boost bookings and revenue, here are our top strategies based on our experience, as well as the latest trends:

Optimise your pricing

As well as excellent marketing exposure Menai Holidays owners benefit from dynamic pricing tools that adjust rates based on demand. Owners who adopt our pricing strategies see an average of six additional bookings and 21% more revenue annually. Those who allow us to advise on base pricing see, on average, 42% more revenue than those who set their own.

Accept Short Breaks

Short stays are now more in demand than ever, with the average length of stay decreasing to 5.68 nights, down from 6.14 from the previous year.

Two short breaks instead of a one-week booking can yield 178% of a property’s standard weekly rental. Currently, short breaks account for 44% of bookings, up from 37% in 2023.

Be Flexible with Last-Minute Bookings

Last-minute stays are becoming the norm rather than the exception. 30% of our bookings in North Wales were made within four weeks of the holiday start date. This is a 2% increase from the previous year.

In August, 2% of all bookings were made between 4pm the day before arrival and noon on the day of arrival. Properties open to last-minute bookings receive more enquiries and higher occupancy rates.

TOP TIP: Enlist the help of an agency like Menai Holidays if you require support with facilitating last-minute changeovers.

Accept Pets

The demand for pet-friendly accommodation has surged by 60% since 2019. Properties that welcome pets achieve, on average, 2.5 extra bookings and 18% more revenue per year.

DID YOU KNOW?

Lead time on bookings generally increases in line with property size. Here in Wales, 40% of bookings for one bedroom properties were made within four weeks of arrival, whereas only 24% of bookings for four bedroom properties were within four weeks.


Value-Adding Property Features

Looking to make your property stand out? Here are the top-searched amenities in 2024:

  • Hot Tubs – The second most popular search after pet-friendly properties, boosting revenue by 37%.
  • Garden/Outdoor Space – 32% of guests consider garden space when booking.
  • Wi-Fi & Tech – 27% of guests prioritise properties with strong Wi-Fi.
  • Other in-demand features: Swimming pools, off-road parking, dishwashers, high chairs, cots, open fires, and ground-floor access.

cottage with hot tub anglesey

Consider Sustainability

As well as reducing your running costs and future proofing your business, considering your environmental impact can be a great way to accelerate your bookings.

74% of the UK public say they want travel companies to offer more sustainable choices, 65% would prefer to stay in accommodation if they knew it had sustainable certification, and 43% would be willing to pay more for sustainable options.

We have seen an increased demand for properties with EV charge points. Holiday cottages with EV charging facilities receive around 260 searches per month on Google. With only 5% of our properties currently having an EV charger, this is a great chance for owners to make their accommodation stand out from the crowd.


Thinking of Investing in a Holiday Home?

North Wales remains a top choice for holiday home investors due to strong occupancy rates from March through October. Here are the three most sought-after features in this region:

  1. Sea Views – One of the most common search filters, particularly in Porthmadog, Llandudno, and Criccieth.
  2. Parking – Essential for many guests, especially in towns like Llandudno, where “self-catering with parking” gets over 500 Google searches per month.
  3. Proximity to the Beach or Town – 34% of guests prioritise access to a beach, while others consider nearby shops (33%) and pubs (25%).


Marketing Your Holiday Home

At Menai Holidays, we offer a combination of local expertise and national marketing reach, ensuring maximum visibility for your property, offering owners the ‘best of both worlds’.

Here are some of our marketing insights for 2024, and ways we have secured bookings for our owners:

  • We spent £35 million on marketing.
  • Our Sykes Cottages website, which features all of our Menai Holidays properties, had over 47 million website visitors.
  • More people searched for Sykes Cottages than any of our competitors, with over 3 million searches for ‘Sykes’ in the last 12 months.
  • Launched several successful booking initiatives this year, such as our free cancellation schemes and low deposit payment offer.
  • Partnered with 700+ travel platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
  • Developed the UK’s only holiday cottage booking app, with 60,000+ installs.

Telford House (Ref. 1081298)


Find out more about letting with…

Menai Holiday Cottages Logo

With over 40 years of experience in marketing and managing more than 800 holiday properties across North Wales, Menai Holidays is your trusted partner for holiday letting. We pride ourselves on handling every aspect of the letting process, so you can relax and enjoy the rewards of owning a holiday home without the hassle.

Personalised Support for Holiday Home Owners

If you’re curious about whether Menai Holidays is the right fit for you and your property, our dedicated New Property Consultants are here to help. We’re happy to visit your property and provide an honest appraisal of its rental potential.

Thinking about investing in a holiday home? We’re also available to offer free, expert advice to guide you through the process.

What We Offer:

At Menai Holidays, we go the extra mile to ensure a seamless experience for our home owners:

  • 24/7 Support: Our local offices in Parc Menai and Pwllheli are on hand around the clock to assist you.
  • Dedicated Account Management: Each property is assigned a local Account Manager who provides personalised support tailored to your needs.
  • Bespoke service options, with full property management.
  • Unrivalled national and local marketing coverage.
  • Market leading pricing systems.

As the holiday let market in North Wales continues to evolve, staying informed about emerging trends is key to achieving long-term success. At Menai Holidays, we are committed to supporting owners with expert guidance, innovative pricing strategies, and comprehensive marketing solutions.


Get in Touch

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday letting journey or simply want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at newowners@menaiholidays.co.uk or call 01248 665155 to arrange a visit or chat with a property expert.

Let us take care of the hard work while you enjoy the benefits of owning a successful holiday home in beautiful North Wales.


If you’re looking for more useful owner blogs, read our owner advice guides for everything you need to know about holiday letting with Menai Holidays. Thinking of holiday letting but feel unsure about the regulations here in Wales? Check out our guide to Navigating the New Holiday Let Rules in Wales.

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