- My Holiday Guide Resources
- Posts
- 🏠 STR Insights & Trends: Your Weekly Industry Update
🏠 STR Insights & Trends: Your Weekly Industry Update
And a free winter themed social media post template
Phil Jackson
January 11, 2025
👋 Welcome to this weeks newsletter which is packed full of updates, news and information you can use to improve your STR property or business.
Your key takeaways :
STR Index Update 📈: Confidence in the sector rose in November, but revenue and ADR remain challenges.
Property Volume Trends 🏘️: UK STR volumes have grown since 2019, with seasonal dips in Q4.
Tourism Levy News 💰: England’s levy remains uncertain; Scotland introduces a 5% tourist tax in Edinburgh.
Industry Highlights 📰: Updates on Edinburgh's holiday let crackdown, STR revenue tools, and major lodge developments in Wales.
European STR Trends 🌍: New regulations and housing impacts in cities like Amsterdam and Athens.
Social Media Post Idea 💡: Use a ready-made winter-themed template to drive bookings and connect with guests.
See you next Saturday at 5pm?
Phil
Founder, My Holiday Guide
IN THE NEWS
STR Index
The Short Term Rental Index increased to 27 in November 2024, increasing from 15 in October showing an increase in confidence and performance in the sector.
Average Daily Rates and Average Revenue per Property figures were the main reasons the performance was lower this month.
How does this compare to your view of performance and state of the sector?
What is the STR Index and how is it calculated? Read our article below.
Volume of Short Term Rentals
With the increase in regulations, removal of tax breaks and higher running costs, I have been wondering what impact this is having on the volume of STR properties in the UK.
I have been tracking this myself using publicly available information. Lighthouse has recently released a chart (below) that provides a comparison between 2019 (pre Covid), 2023 and 2024.
It will come as no surprise that the total volume has increased between 2019 and 2024, and more interestingly it highlights a seasonal reduction in volume in the last quarter of each year.
The chart data currently only provides data up to September 2024 so it will be interesting to see if there was more of a pronounced dip for the remainder of 2024.
What’s your opinion of what this information tells us?
Source: Lighthouse
Tourism Tax Levy Update for England & Scotland
Whilst PASC and others continue to oppose the proposed tourism levy in Wales, the recently released English Devolution White Paper does not explicitly propose to provide local councils the right to charge a tourism levy. Therefore, at this point it appears this legislation will not be implemented.
Meanwhile in Scotland, according to this article from the BBC, Edinburghs 'tourist tax' is to be set at 5%.
Other News
Edinburgh short term let owners dealt blow after councillors rejected 18 appeals in one day | This article from Edinburgh Live reports that the Edinburgh City Council rejected 18 appeals in one day from short-term holiday let owners challenging the city's crackdown on holiday lets. The council is concerned about the loss of long-term housing and the impact on neighbors in residential communities. They are refusing to grant change of use applications to short-term holiday let owners.
Key Data Partners With STR Consulting | Key Data and STR Consulting have partnered to provide revenue management solutions for short-term rental property managers. This partnership gives STR Consulting clients access to Key Data's real-time data analytics, allowing them to optimise revenue and make data-driven decisions.
Almost 500 lodges to be built in Holy Island, Anglesey, Wales by The Seventy Ninth Group. The 200-acre site will include 492 premium holiday lodges, aiming to establish Penrhos, Holy Island, as a UK holiday destination for thousands of visitors each year.
STR News Across Europe
Amsterdam residents stage protests against ‘unliveable’ conditions due to overtourism as new hotels pop up
Athens limits short-term rentals for one year in bid to alleviate housing shortage
Long-term rental prices soar by nearly 35% in Spain: Tourist lets to blame
Short-term rental boom hits Cyprus
LISTING PERFORMANCE & GROWTH
Social media post template ready for you to use.
Are you struggling to think of ideas for social media post ideas? Here’s a template you can copy, adapt and post to maintain a social media presence and drive bookings.
I am considering including a social media template in each weeks newsletter. Would this be helpful to you?
❄️ Winter Wonderland Awaits You at [Your Property Name]! ❄️
Looking for the perfect winter escape? Stay with us and enjoy everything this magical season has to offer – from outdoor adventures to fireside comfort. Here’s what’s waiting for you near our doorstep:
🎿 Winter Activities to Delight Every Guest
Ice Skating: Just a short drive away, [Local Ice Rink Name] offers a festive skating experience under twinkling lights – great for families or couples seeking a romantic outing.
Scenic Winter Walks & Hikes: Explore [Nearby Trail Name] with its frost-covered trees, crisp air, and breathtaking views. Pack your boots, a scarf, and a sense of adventure!
🔥 Cosy Pubs to Keep You Toasty
After a day in the fresh winter air, settle into one of our favourite local pubs, where warmth and charm are always on the menu:
[Pub 1 name] 🦌 – Just 10 minutes away, this pub features a roaring fire, mulled wine, and the best steak and ale pie around.
[Pub 2 name] 🌳 – Enjoy local ales and hearty meals in front of a crackling log burner.
[Pub 3 name] 🔥 – A charming spot for a slow evening by the fire with comforting soups and a welcoming atmosphere.
💼 Why Choose [Your Property Name]?
✔️ Relax in our cosy interiors designed for comfort after a day out.
✔️ Convenient access to the best winter activities and eateries.
✔️ We’re always happy to share our local tips to make your stay extra special!
📅 Book your winter getaway now!
Don’t wait – the season is calling, and our calendar is filling fast. DM us or visit our website to secure your stay today.
#StayWithUs #WinterEscape #CosyGetaway #YourHomeAwayFromHome
If you don’t have an image to use, here’s one you can use. I have added a couple of other options to a Google Drive folder here that you are welcome to use.
If you create a post do tag @myholidayguideapp as I’d love to see and ‘like’ your post.
FEATURED RESOURCE
Highlighting useful tools and resources for your holiday let.
SuperStyle Your Stay: 10-Day Airbnb Design Course
Helen Winter, an interior designer specialising in short-term rentals, is offering a £27 mini-course bundle, "SuperStyle Your Stay," to help Airbnb and holiday let hosts improve their properties' presentation. The course provides design hacks and templates to create a "wow factor" and attract more bookings within ten days. It includes video training, checklists, and social media templates, aiming to increase profitability without extensive renovations. The bundle also offers a "Little Black Book of Suppliers" for sourcing unique items.
View more details and purchase the course here:
PROPERTIES OF THE NEWSLETTER
We all love looking at and getting inspiration from other properties so here’s our top pick for this edition.
NO FOMO
Missed last weeks newsletter? Here’s one thing you might like.
Resources Directory
In last weeks newsletter we re-introduced our very own resources directory that contains over 500 services and products that can help you run an effective STR property or business.