Cottages4you tie-up adds 10,000 properties to Villas.com

Cottages4you tie-up adds 10,000 properties to Villas.com

More than 10,000 self-catering holiday cottages are being added to Booking.com’s Villas.com accommodation offering with the inclusion of cottages4you properties.

More than 10,000 self-catering holiday cottages are being added to Booking.com’s Villas.com accommodation offering with the inclusion of cottages4you properties.

The expansion follows increased demand from domestic and international travellers for self-catering accommodation in the UK.

UK villa bookings have almost tripled in 2012/2013 and the company expects similar growth this year on the back of a survey showing that UK travellers are actively choosing a domestic holiday this summer, while more inbound visitors – from as far afield as China and Australia – are looking for self-catering accommodation.

More than half of UK travellers (63%) said they like staying in self-catering accommodation because it provides freedom of choice, access to some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and the chance to live like a local.

Having the space to accommodate the whole family or a large group is seen as important to more than a third of those surveyed (37%), while 12% want to be able able to take a dog away on holiday.

More than half (52%) said that the most important facility is a garden or balcony/terrace, while a quarter want a swimming pool.

Cottages rank as the most favoured option for UK travellers – chosen by just 40% of those surveyed – closely followed by apartments (21%) and villas (20%).

Villas.com global director Megan Anderson said: “With more than three quarters of us planning a domestic break this year, the UK ‘staycation’ is definitely here to stay.

“The flexibility and choice that self-catering accommodation brings to a holiday seems to be incredibly attractive, and in response to the trends we’ve been seeing, we’re extremely happy to announce our partnership with cottages4you this summer.

“It brings a diverse range of more than 10,000 beautiful cottages, perfect for couples, families and groups of travellers looking to personalise their holiday.”