Virgin boss Richard Branson has pipped both George Clooney and Johnny Depp to the post in a survey that asked British holiday makers who they’d most like to stay with!
British travellers were asked who they would most like to stay with in a poll carried out by UK based holiday rentals specialist Owners Direct and Britain’s favourite entrepreneur came out top.
Sir Richard achieved a third of the votes with chef Jamie Oliver coming a close second with just over 23 per cent of the votes – maybe because people were hoping for a catered break! Surprisingly, only 11 per cent of British holidaymakers said they wanted to holiday with George Clooney. Other big names who made it in the top ten were Elton John, Bradley Cooper, Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie and Pippa Middleton, who still only managed to achieve just 9% of the votes between them. Historian David Starkey just managed to scrape into the top 10 with 0.3% of the votes – but beat Oprah Winfrey.
One holidaymaker gave her reason for choosing Richard Branson over George Clooney: “Because it would probably be a spacious place in the country with good books and nice food and George Clooney wouldn’t fancy me, let’s face it.”
The survey also revealed the number one country people would most like to visit in their lifetime is Australia which beat tropical destinations such as the Maldives and Hawaii. New Zealand came second and India third.
Getting back down to earth, most British holidaymakers revealed that they would be spending their annual summer break in Spain. This is closely followed by other Mediterranean destinations including The Canary Islands, Greece, Portugal and France.
“We were encouraged to see Greece in the top five countries to visit after the economic struggles they are currently having. Tourism is a vital part of their economy so it’s reassuring to see this trend” says Marketing Manager Angela Southall.
Owners Direct also found via its Facebook page that holidaymakers would choose the Med over a holiday in outer space, with cosmic trips on the cards from 2013.
When it comes to destinations of a lifetime, many Brits are up for an adventure and want to travel to places like Antarctica, Madagascar and Machu Picchu, Borneo. Some opted to holiday closer to home, choosing Scunthorpe as their dream destination!
The survey also revealed that Brits are opting to take just as many holidays this year, preferring to cut back on spending rather than the number of trips they plan to take. In 2011 just under 80 per cent of people took two or more holidays and are planning to take the same amount this year.
Over 80 per cent are opting for self-catering but many (75%) still plan to eat out over four times a week. 40% of respondents said the current economic climate is having an effect on their holiday plans for 2012 but only 10% said they would be taking fewer holidays this year. 70 per cent admitted they will be spending less on holiday whilst a tiny 1% said they would actually be paying more for holidays this year!
When asked about travelling habits, only a very small minority are prepared to go solo. Nearly 60 per cent of Brits are plumping for their partners over Richard Branson, 48 per cent with their families and just under 3% on their own.
As well as dreaming of exotic holiday destinations and celebrity companions, almost all Brits have aspirations of owning their own holiday home. The survey revealed the favourite places to own a holiday home would be France, Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal with the South Coast of England also proving popular.
One person even thought Birmingham would be the ideal location for their holiday hom. (EDITOR: And why not? Home to the sites that inspired Lord of the Rings, more miles of canals than Venice, Birmingham has much to be said for it, as a holiday destination!)
See Owners Direct infographic here: www.ownersdirect.co.uk/survey-infographic-lg.htm
Showing posts with label owners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label owners. Show all posts
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Men head to Med whilst women stay with friends for big Olympic rent-out
A recent survey conducted by holiday home specialists Owners Direct has revealed that 50% of Brits in the South East who plan to, or have already rented out their homes for the Olympics games are looking to escape the UK for a Mediterranean break.
Owners Direct has also seen almost a 90% rise in enquiries during 2012 to date for the London area and an 80% increase for surrounding areas such as Essex.
And the sexes have been divided. Whilst more men said they’d go abroad while they rented out their property, more women said they’d bunk with friends. Either way, 40% of home owners surveyed said they would be or have already rented out their main residence for the weeks in July and August during which the games take place.
As a result of increased demand for properties near the Olympic sites next summer, Owners Direct have launched a service specifically to cater to the needs of those looking for short term let options. Launched at the end of October last year, it offers landlords a cost effective way to market their homes to people all over the world who are looking for accommodation during the Olympics.
Owners Direct advisers home owners to make sure they do their research before renting out their home.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for properties in the London area and our advice for people considering renting out a holiday property or even their own home would be to ensure that you make it clear to prospective tenants what you are offering within the price – are you providing linen and towels, a welcome pack or any other added extras? Before renting your London property, make sure that you have the relevant insurance required and check that your local council allows short term letting. Once you receive a booking always confirm the booking with a written contract” says Owners Direct Marketing Manager Angela Southall.
46 year old Rochelle Peachey who runs transatlantic dating site www.iloveyouraccent.com and her husband secured a booking last October for their four bedroom semi in the Woodford Green area to a Russian family for a total of four weeks during the Olympics and Paralympics.
“We are super close to everything and the opportunity was too good to pass up. I might send my mother in law on a cruise so we can stay in their flat but something more exotic is calling my name – California maybe!”
With over 50% of people who took part in the study who own a holiday home in the South East already having received enquiries for the 2012 games, Marketing Manager Angela Southall said the company was keen to extend their offering to people who didn’t need to list their properties for a long period of time.
“We have launched a service that will allow homeowners who wouldn’t normally rent out their properties to do so for a short time. We’ve been amazed at how many people are willing to pack up their lives and find a roof elsewhere for a few weeks!” says Angela Southall.
Of those who are renting out their homes or are planning to, the majority are of the 35-54 age group. With options to take a holiday, move in with friends and family or rent elsewhere, some have said they would happily crash on a mate’s sofa or hole up in a converted shed or garage with 30% looking at such options. As well as the Med, popular destinations included Northern Europe and America.
The majority of enquiries regarding rental properties are coming from within the UK, with Brits who were lucky enough to get tickets looking to stay close by and make a holiday of the event. The UK was followed by the USA and France.
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
www.twitter.com/ownersdirect
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Owners Direct has also seen almost a 90% rise in enquiries during 2012 to date for the London area and an 80% increase for surrounding areas such as Essex.
And the sexes have been divided. Whilst more men said they’d go abroad while they rented out their property, more women said they’d bunk with friends. Either way, 40% of home owners surveyed said they would be or have already rented out their main residence for the weeks in July and August during which the games take place.
As a result of increased demand for properties near the Olympic sites next summer, Owners Direct have launched a service specifically to cater to the needs of those looking for short term let options. Launched at the end of October last year, it offers landlords a cost effective way to market their homes to people all over the world who are looking for accommodation during the Olympics.
Owners Direct advisers home owners to make sure they do their research before renting out their home.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for properties in the London area and our advice for people considering renting out a holiday property or even their own home would be to ensure that you make it clear to prospective tenants what you are offering within the price – are you providing linen and towels, a welcome pack or any other added extras? Before renting your London property, make sure that you have the relevant insurance required and check that your local council allows short term letting. Once you receive a booking always confirm the booking with a written contract” says Owners Direct Marketing Manager Angela Southall.
46 year old Rochelle Peachey who runs transatlantic dating site www.iloveyouraccent.com and her husband secured a booking last October for their four bedroom semi in the Woodford Green area to a Russian family for a total of four weeks during the Olympics and Paralympics.
“We are super close to everything and the opportunity was too good to pass up. I might send my mother in law on a cruise so we can stay in their flat but something more exotic is calling my name – California maybe!”
With over 50% of people who took part in the study who own a holiday home in the South East already having received enquiries for the 2012 games, Marketing Manager Angela Southall said the company was keen to extend their offering to people who didn’t need to list their properties for a long period of time.
“We have launched a service that will allow homeowners who wouldn’t normally rent out their properties to do so for a short time. We’ve been amazed at how many people are willing to pack up their lives and find a roof elsewhere for a few weeks!” says Angela Southall.
Of those who are renting out their homes or are planning to, the majority are of the 35-54 age group. With options to take a holiday, move in with friends and family or rent elsewhere, some have said they would happily crash on a mate’s sofa or hole up in a converted shed or garage with 30% looking at such options. As well as the Med, popular destinations included Northern Europe and America.
The majority of enquiries regarding rental properties are coming from within the UK, with Brits who were lucky enough to get tickets looking to stay close by and make a holiday of the event. The UK was followed by the USA and France.
www.ownersdirect.co.uk
www.twitter.com/ownersdirect
http://www.facebook.com/ownersdirect
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
What would YOU eat when on holiday?
According to a recent survey by villa rental specialists Owners Direct despite selecting self-catering accommodation, 75% of Brits still choose to eat out over four times a week whilst on holiday.
This throws the long-standing term of self-catering into confusion with the description ‘self-hosting’ now being far more applicable.
40% of those surveyed actually eat out every day, but 37% said the average amount they spend a week is only between £100-£250 totalling an average of £7 per meal per person based on two people dining. This demonstrates that budget is still an important issue.
Whilst the majority of British holidaymakers say they embrace the local cuisine whilst abroad we still like our home comforts. We British are notorious for enjoying a good cup of traditional tea to start off our day. It is no surprise that over 40% of us take our own little luxuries away, with marmite and tea bags proving the most popular items to take abroad.
When feeling a little adventurous, some of the strangest foods consumed by British abroad include guinea pig, crocodile, dolphin, rattle snake, mud hopper crab and fish eyes. Yet sometimes we find out about local customs the hard way, with a few confessing to finding themselves in embarrassing situations.
One holidaymaker recalled using ‘the lemon in the finger bowl to squeeze on my asparagus.’ Another remembered ordering fish soup in Singapore and instead received a bowl of water with fish heads floating in it. Local customs are also well known for catching people out – one diner quickly learnt not to cause offence by eating with his left hand in Morocco.
With dining out comes the challenge of ordering from the menu. Whilst some favour picture menus, 75% are willing to give the local lingo a go – even if that means slipping up and being the butt of dinner time jokes.
When people do choose to cook for themselves, 46% of travellers like to purchase locally produced products such as meat and fish from the local market to fit in with the culture and try out new dishes. Over 50% wait until they get home to cook traditional meals like a roast dinner or curry.
Results revealed that 59% of British people surveyed believe Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece deliver the cheapest but the best local food, with others enjoying the food culture in Thailand, Vietnam and India. Controversially France appears to be a common answer for the worst meal British tourists have experienced along with being the most expensive!
When it comes to eating out as a family, 50% of Brits feel that their children are adventurous with trying new foods abroad. One commented that their children “will eat almost anything except snails and calamari.”
58% of holiday makers find that restaurants abroad are more welcoming to children than at home, with most agreeing that they are simply more tolerant of younger diners.
The most common languages spoken abroad are Spanish (70.7%), French (57.3%) followed by German (19.1%) and Italian (15.4%). By contrast, very few people are prepared to have a stab at Greek, Arabic, Portuguese, Cantonese, Dutch, or Norwegian whilst on holiday.
FACTFILE:
Owners Direct specialises in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation direct from the owner. We have advertised holiday properties since 1997 and on our web site you will find over 37,000 villas, apartments, chalets, farmhouses and cottages.
From Fincas in Spain to traditional Riads in Morocco and beach villas in Koh Samui, Owners Direct offer all types of holiday accommodation in a diverse selection countries throughout the world. They have seen enormous growth in recent years and are delighted to report that, they were voted Runner Up in the Best Villa Rental Companies category in the Conde Nast Readers Travel Awards 2009.
In August 2007 Owners Direct became part of HomeAway Inc. which owns the largest holiday website in the US and Europe, continuing to operate as a separate brand.
Owners Direct Website
This throws the long-standing term of self-catering into confusion with the description ‘self-hosting’ now being far more applicable.
40% of those surveyed actually eat out every day, but 37% said the average amount they spend a week is only between £100-£250 totalling an average of £7 per meal per person based on two people dining. This demonstrates that budget is still an important issue.
Whilst the majority of British holidaymakers say they embrace the local cuisine whilst abroad we still like our home comforts. We British are notorious for enjoying a good cup of traditional tea to start off our day. It is no surprise that over 40% of us take our own little luxuries away, with marmite and tea bags proving the most popular items to take abroad.
When feeling a little adventurous, some of the strangest foods consumed by British abroad include guinea pig, crocodile, dolphin, rattle snake, mud hopper crab and fish eyes. Yet sometimes we find out about local customs the hard way, with a few confessing to finding themselves in embarrassing situations.
One holidaymaker recalled using ‘the lemon in the finger bowl to squeeze on my asparagus.’ Another remembered ordering fish soup in Singapore and instead received a bowl of water with fish heads floating in it. Local customs are also well known for catching people out – one diner quickly learnt not to cause offence by eating with his left hand in Morocco.
With dining out comes the challenge of ordering from the menu. Whilst some favour picture menus, 75% are willing to give the local lingo a go – even if that means slipping up and being the butt of dinner time jokes.
When people do choose to cook for themselves, 46% of travellers like to purchase locally produced products such as meat and fish from the local market to fit in with the culture and try out new dishes. Over 50% wait until they get home to cook traditional meals like a roast dinner or curry.
Results revealed that 59% of British people surveyed believe Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece deliver the cheapest but the best local food, with others enjoying the food culture in Thailand, Vietnam and India. Controversially France appears to be a common answer for the worst meal British tourists have experienced along with being the most expensive!
When it comes to eating out as a family, 50% of Brits feel that their children are adventurous with trying new foods abroad. One commented that their children “will eat almost anything except snails and calamari.”
58% of holiday makers find that restaurants abroad are more welcoming to children than at home, with most agreeing that they are simply more tolerant of younger diners.
The most common languages spoken abroad are Spanish (70.7%), French (57.3%) followed by German (19.1%) and Italian (15.4%). By contrast, very few people are prepared to have a stab at Greek, Arabic, Portuguese, Cantonese, Dutch, or Norwegian whilst on holiday.
FACTFILE:
Owners Direct specialises in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation direct from the owner. We have advertised holiday properties since 1997 and on our web site you will find over 37,000 villas, apartments, chalets, farmhouses and cottages.
From Fincas in Spain to traditional Riads in Morocco and beach villas in Koh Samui, Owners Direct offer all types of holiday accommodation in a diverse selection countries throughout the world. They have seen enormous growth in recent years and are delighted to report that, they were voted Runner Up in the Best Villa Rental Companies category in the Conde Nast Readers Travel Awards 2009.
In August 2007 Owners Direct became part of HomeAway Inc. which owns the largest holiday website in the US and Europe, continuing to operate as a separate brand.
Owners Direct Website
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