Holiday homes in Barcelona, Dubai, Italy, the Canary Islands & England enjoyed the strongest rental demand this summer, according to www.holiday-rentals.co.uk...

Holiday-Rentals.co.uk can reveal that Barcelona was the top performing destination for holiday home rentals this summer, as Spain remained a popular choice, but continued to experience a reduction in the number of sun and beach holidays and a shift towards more "cultural tourism". Dubai retained its number two slot from the first half of the year, followed closely by Italy, then the Canary Islands and finally England, an indication that more people chose more "tried and tested" destinations, or a holiday closer to home this summer.

From May to the end of August, Barcelona received 1.9 times the site average number of enquiries per property and the total number of enquiries for the city increased 21% compared to summer '05. Dubai attracted 1.5 times the site average number of enquiries per property, despite a rise of 200% in the number of properties listed. This, coupled with the fact that the total number of enquiries received for Dubai increased by a massive 89% since last year, indicates that its popularity with both investors and renters shows no signs of decline.

With Italy recently being voted "favourite country" in the 9th edition of the Condé Nast Readers Awards, it comes as no surprise that this country came in at number three. Overall, Italy attracted 1.43 times the site average number of enquiries per property and the total number of enquiries was up 58% on last summer. Regions that performed particular well included Venice, Lombardy, Campania, Rome and Sicily, which all experienced a significant rise in the number of enquiries per property compared to last year.

The Canary Islands were the fourth best performers, mirroring a trend back towards more "tried & tested" destinations as holidaymakers became wary of venturing to more exotic climes. Properties in the islands experienced 1.41 times the site average number of enquiries and there was a 61% increase in the total number of enquiries compared to last summer. The number of properties listed also increased by 61% as the islands continue to be popular with investors thanks to their year-round suitability for holidays and rentals.

Finally, and perhaps not surprisingly given the events of August and soaring summer temperatures, England came in at number five, indicating lots of people chose a holiday closer to home this year. Rising concerns about terrorism, combined with an increasing number of tourists travelling through UK airports every year, means for many, England now presents a more stress-free holiday option and people are beginning to realise that a holiday discovering domestic delights can be just as rewarding as jetting off abroad. Holiday-Rentals.co.uk now lists 524 properties in England; a 39% increase since last year.

Ross McGowan, sales director, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk commented, "The fact that Barcelona, Venice and Rome have continued to be popular with renters throughout the summer reinforces the fact that today's travellers are looking for a more holistic holiday experience and more than just sun, sea and sand. Hence buy-to-lets in city centres are becoming an increasingly popular and lucrative option for investors."

He continued, "The appearance of the Canaries in our top five illustrates that traditional destinations continue to perform strongly too, both in terms of traveller demand and investment. Despite strong competition from Eastern Europe and beyond, renters and investors alike have been attracted to tried and tested favourites, such as the Canaries, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus and Portugal this year for the same reasons; their stable political and economic climates."

Holiday-Rentals.co.uk Top 5 rental performers, Summer '06

At the end of each season, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk reports on the site's best-performing regions, based on the average number of enquiries per property per month, the change in the number of enquiries since last year and the increase in the total number of properties. At the end of summer 2006, the following countries were the site's top five performers:

1. Barcelona
   Average number of enquiries per property per month: 1.9 times the site average
   Rise in enquiries: 21%
   Increase in properties: 17%
2. Dubai
   Average number of enquiries per property per month: 1.5 times the site average
   Rise in enquiries: 89%
   Increase in properties: 200%
3. Italy
   Average number of enquiries per property per month: 1.43 times the site average
   Rise in enquiries: 58%
   Increase in properties: 43%
4. Canary Islands
   Average number of enquiries per property per month: 1.41 times the site average
   Rise in enquiries: 61%
   Increase in properties: 61%
5. England
   Average number of enquiries per property per month: 1.37 times the site average
   Rise in enquiries: 74%
   Increase in properties: 39%