UK staycation market update

UK Staycation Market Update: What the 2026 Holiday Letting Outlook Means for Yorkshire

The UK staycation market continues to evolve, with new insights from the latest report by Sykes Holiday Cottages offering a helpful snapshot of the holiday letting landscape heading into 2026.

For property owners across Yorkshire, the report highlights continued opportunities for holiday lets in destinations that offer strong visitor appeal, great amenities and flexible booking options.

With Yorkshire home to dramatic coastlines, charming villages and national park landscapes, it remains one of the UK’s most attractive regions for domestic tourism.

Read the full Outlook Report here

Yorkshire Destinations Among the UK’s Best Performing

One of the key takeaways from the 2026 outlook report is the strong performance of several Yorkshire locations.

The West Yorkshire village of Haworth ranks among the UK’s top performing holiday-let destinations, with properties achieving an average of 46 bookings per year. This places it among the highest-occupancy locations analysed in the report.

Meanwhile, Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales also appears in the top ten destinations, with around 40 bookings per property annually.

These figures highlight the continued demand for picturesque rural destinations where visitors can enjoy walking, nature and traditional market towns — all of which Yorkshire offers in abundance.

For owners across the region, including the Yorkshire Coast, this reflects a wider trend: travellers are actively seeking unique locations with easy access to outdoor experiences.

Visitors searching for memorable UK breaks can explore our collection of Yorkshire holiday cottages and Yorkshire coastal cottages to experience the region’s landscapes and coastal charm.

Key Trends Shaping the Holiday Let Market

The report also identifies several strategies that successful holiday let owners are using to maximise bookings and revenue.

Many owners are focusing on:

• Offering discounts or seasonal promotions

• Improving property amenities or facilities

• Increasing marketing activity

• Targeting new guest groups

• Accepting short breaks

These approaches help properties remain competitive while adapting to evolving travel habits.

For example, many travellers now prefer multiple short breaks throughout the year, rather than a single longer holiday.

 

Why Short Breaks Are Increasing Bookings

One of the most valuable insights from the report relates to the benefits of flexible bookings.

Owners who allow short breaks or multiple bookings within a week can typically gain:

• Around eight additional bookings per year

• Up to 25% higher annual revenue

This trend reflects the growing popularity of weekend escapes and mid-week getaways, particularly to coastal and countryside destinations.

For owners along the Yorkshire coast, offering shorter stays can help attract visitors looking for quick seaside breaks. Our short breaks on the Yorkshire Coast are perfect for guests looking for a spontaneous seaside escape.

For more information on Short Breaks options, read our blog on Short breaks in Holiday Letting Guide

Amenities That Increase Holiday Let Income

Another key takeaway from the report is the impact that property features can have on booking performance.

Holiday cottages with hot tubs, for example, can generate around 40% higher annual earnings on average.

For guests, these kinds of amenities add an extra level of comfort and relaxation — particularly after a day exploring Yorkshire’s coastline, countryside or market towns.

Other upgrades such as improved interiors, outdoor seating areas and pet-friendly facilities can also help properties stand out in the competitive holiday let market.

The Outlook for the Yorkshire Staycation Market

Overall, the outlook for the Yorkshire staycation market remains positive.

With coastal destinations with a rich history like Whitby, Scarborough and Robin Hood’s Bay to name a few, are our most successful holiday-let locations, Yorkshire continues to attract visitors seeking unique UK travel experiences.

From the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire coastline to the rolling landscapes of the Yorkshire Moors, the region offers a diverse range of holiday experiences. If you’re thinking of purchasing a property in God’s county, read our helpful blog on A Guide to Buying a Holiday Let in Yorkshire

For owners working with Yorkshire Coastal Cottages, the key takeaway from the report is clear: properties that adapt to guest expectations, offer flexible bookings and provide memorable amenities are well positioned to succeed in the years ahead.

How do guests choose a holiday let agency?

With so many agencies to choose from, we asked participants their top priorities when selecting an agency for their UK holidays.

When choosing a holiday cottage agency to book from, consumers top three priorities are:

• That the property offers good value for money
• The property has accurate and detailed property descriptions
• The agency has a variety of high quality properties available to choose from

Social media reputation has also increased in a consumers consideration when selecting an agency. Sykes outperforms the rest of the market when asked about reputation in the staycation industry.

Also looking at repeat bookings, our survey found that the top three reasons for a consumer to book again are:

• They felt that the property offered good value for money
• There was excellent customer service available
• The agency has a flexible booking policy

58% of our participants also preferred to use a website over app, in person or over the phone when booking a holiday. Fortunately, at Sykes Holiday Cottages, all of these methods are available for our guests in addition to our tailored brand websites.

Let with the experts

Interested in letting your property with a local company, that still has key industry insights from a national brand? Complete the form below to request contact from our team, alternatively phone us on 01947 820949, on or pop into one our local office in Whitby. 

 

**All data is taken from our parent company, Sykes Holiday Cottages survey, and is correct at the time of writing**