It's been a strange half a year to say the least. Since March our lifestyles have changed dramatically, with many now working from home permanently and not travelling abroad with the same frequency as before. In fact, EasyJet was expected to cut down to less than 40% of its flight capacity in the fourth quarter of the year and British Airways has retired its entire 747 fleet after the downturn in air travel. It's reasonable to state that the air travel industry shows no sign in picking up again any time soon. Instead, the UK is seeing what we might call a 'Great British escape to nature'.
Where are we travelling to?
People have always had and will always have the need to roam, explore and enjoy the great outdoors, and the pandemic that we are all experiencing is pushing us to do this within the boundaries of our small-but-beautiful island. People need a break, and many are heading to nature in search of it. Airbnb Founder & CEO Brian Chesky recently stated that COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the way we travel; opening us up to destinations that we had given little thought to before. The rise of new and more varied destinations to visit means that it is no longer just the Cornish towns reaping the rewards of domestic travellers spending their cash. The Highlands, the Peak District, New Forest and many other national parks and rural areas are increasingly appealing to those seeking an escape from the 'Covid lifestyle', since travelling abroad is no longer a practical option.
The rise of 'workations'
'Workations' are also becoming increasingly popular. With the shift to remote working, people are starting to realise that they can rent an Airbnb or holiday let property for a few weeks and work in new surroundings - as long as the Wifi is fast! Combining work and play is also an option for those who are left with annual leave to take after a long summer of hard work. The opportunity is there to rent a short let property in a location such as the Norfolk Coast for 3 weeks, spending the first fortnight working and the final week exploring the beaches and coastal trails. With 'workation' travel more practical than it ever has been, the demand for high quality holiday homes is changing. Properties must adhere to the Airbnb cleaning standards, whether managed by individual homeowners or an Airbnb management company. Laptop friendly workspaces are also becoming more highly sought after and hosts can add this amenity on their Airbnb listing to attract remote-working guests.
What does the future bring?
When we look beyond the pandemic and to the future of short breaks, it seems inevitable that our habits will continue. After all, domestic travel was already soaring before the Coronavirus hit and the situation has almost forced us to finally appreciate what the country has to offer. Here at Pass the Keys we have recently partnered with entrepreneurs in the Lake District and New Forest & Christchurch to provide our short let property management services to homeowners who don't have the time or are unable to let out their properties themselves, and host guests who are seeking their own 'Great British escape to nature'.
Read more about our recent expansion to the Lake District and New Forest & Christchurch here.