Holiday lets in Cornwall have overtaken hotels over decade

New data from Property Management Software (PMS) specialist RMS Cloud, based on the latest ONS figures, shows a 78 per cent rise in holiday let businesses in Cornwall, growing from 250 in 2013 to 445 in 2023.

This is part of a nationwide trend, with the UK seeing a 90.7 per cent increase in short-term rental (STR) businesses, growing from 3,780 in 2013 to 7,219 in 2023.

In contrast, the number of operators of hotels in Cornwall has decreased by 21 per cent, falling from 320 in 2013 to 250 in 2023.

This is despite a 5.6 per cent growth in hotel businesses across the UK during the same period.

The data reflects a shift in traveller priorities, with many opting for environmentally friendly, experience-led accommodation that offers more space, privacy, and practical amenities.

As a result, the number of staycations is predicted to surge, with a third of Brits expected to holiday in the UK this year.

Cornwall was one of 260 UK local authorities that saw an increase in STR businesses, averaging 13.2 new businesses per region.

In contrast, only 154 local authorities experienced growth in the hotel sector, with an average of just 4.6 new hotel operators per region.

Additionally, UK campgrounds have seen a notable 35 per cent rise in new sites from 2,495 in 2013 to 3,375 in 2023.

Cornwall was slightly above this national average, with 37 per cent more campground businesses in 2023 compared with 2013.

Davinder Gill, business development executive at RMS Cloud, said: "The hospitality industry has been keeping a keen eye on the growing momentum of short-term rental businesses over the last decade, but many will be surprised at how significant the disparity of growth is when compared to hotels.

"In Cornwall, we’ve not only seen the growth in the number of holiday lets and campgrounds, but we’ve actually seen the number of hotel operators decrease, with guests voting with their feet as their travel priorities shift."