The Economic Case for Holiday Lets

What the data shows about holiday lets and their impact on local communities

The debate around holiday lets is often framed as a housing problem. But not all properties are the same. A second home sitting empty for most of the year contributes very little to the local community. A professionally managed holiday let is different. Guests spend in local pubs, restaurants and shops, local tradespeople are kept in work, and housekeepers earn a living preparing properties week after week.

What is included in the calculation

Figures represent the total annual local economic contribution of an average three-bedroom property, including lettings agent fees, utilities, insurance, housekeeping wages, maintenance, window cleaning, waste collection, and occupier spending on food and drink, entertainment, and other leisure and consumables.

Sources: ONS Family Spending Data (April 2019 to March 2020); VisitBritain / Kantar GB Tourist Annual Report 2019; Finest Retreats proprietary bookings data 2021-2022.

NB. New fi ndings are due for release in the coming months and are expected to show the multiplier figure has risen
substantially. Research originally compiled 2022.

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