Sykes: UK staycation boom set to continue in 2025

The Sykes Staycation Index 2025 has landed – and it’s packed with insights for short-term rental (STR) hosts and property managers. With nearly two-thirds of Brits planning a UK break this year and a third naming it as their main holiday, the domestic tourism trend isn’t going anywhere. If anything, it’s growing stronger.

According to the report, Brits will spend an average of £1,292 on their main UK break in 2025 – up from £1,070 in 2024. That’s excellent news for holiday let owners, especially those who cater to key traveller trends such as food-focused stays, pet-friendly homes, and Instagram-worthy experiences. In fact, ChatGPT referrals alone drove 7% of all traffic to the Sykes website between March and May 2025, a signal that AI and search tools are shaping travel discovery and bookings.

Gen Z and Millennials are driving growth

Perhaps most notably, Gen Z is leading the charge when it comes to choosing staycations. A staggering 71% of 18–28-year-olds plan to holiday in the UK this year, and 60% say they’re more likely to take a solo trip now than five years ago. With Millennials also outspending every other age group – averaging £1,526 per stay – hosts need to be targeting these digital-first, experience-hungry audiences.

Make sure your listings speak directly to these groups: highlight luxury features, solo-friendly perks, strong Wi-Fi, and proximity to foodie hotspots or cultural landmarks.

Micro-trips, 'taste-cations' and 'cultural-cations'

2025 is the year of "micro-tripping" – with 48% of bookings being short breaks (six days or less). Guests are prioritising flexibility, multiple breaks per year, and stress-free travel over extended getaways.

Alongside shorter stays, “taste-cations” are gaining serious traction. One third of travellers say food now influences their holiday location. Towns like St Ives, Padstow, and Brixham top the list of foodie destinations, and hosts with access to farm shops, wine tastings, or cooking classes could see their appeal – and occupancy – skyrocket.

Likewise, "cultural-cations" are trending, with 26% of travellers booking trips around history and heritage. From the Tower of London to the Jurassic Coast, cultural landmarks are high on the agenda.

What the Sykes Staycation Index 2025 means for hosts

If you own or manage a UK holiday let, now is the time to:

• Tailor your property to appeal to emerging audiences (think Gen Z, solo travellers, and foodies).

• Highlight experiential selling points: proximity to restaurants, cultural sites, or scenic walking routes.

• Optimise for short stays by simplifying check-in, cleaning, and turnover processes.

• Invest in SEO and AI visibility to capture traffic from platforms like ChatGPT and voice search.

  
  

As domestic tourism continues to inject billions into the UK economy, STR professionals who stay ahead of the trends will be best positioned for long-term success.

Click here to explore the full Sykes Staycation Index 2025.

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