There’s no place like home

June 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Pure Holiday Homes, the leading holiday home rental search engine, reports that since 1st January 2010 the UK has been by far the most searched for area, accounting for 25% of all searches carried out on the website, above Italy on 15%.  With properties in 56 countries around the world and over 80% of the searches coming from within the UK, this is a vivid illustration that the ‘staycation’ (stay at home vacation) will become the most popular summer holiday option for Brits this year.

The two significant market effecting elements, the ongoing BA strikes and Icelandic ash cloud disruption, have played a major role in determining the fate of the UK’s holidaying habits for 2010. However, underlying issues revolving around exchange rates and the recession could also have also been an unwanted hangover from 2009 for the overseas travel industry. Since the turn of the year, thousands of Brits have been stranded at home or abroad due to the immense disruption from the ash cloud and the continued battles between BA’s board and union make booking flights through the airline an increased gamble.

As a result of this, with fantastic summer temperatures predicted and a wealth of first class UK properties registered on Pure Holiday Homes, it seems there’s no place like home. Amongst the most popular search for UK destinations are Cornwall and Devon in the south west of England and also Ireland and Wales, with their miles of sandy beaches and tranquil countryside.

Never far from the heart of UK travellers, Italy is the top destination outside of the UK, offering a sumptuous blend of culture, gastronomy and beautiful countryside. The rolling hills of Tuscany will always be difficult to top as the preferred holiday hot spot but the gorgeous lakes in northern Italy, with the breathtaking surrounding scenery, have also been hugely popular.

The accessibility and value for money of France and Spain (representing 14% and 13% of the total searches through Pure Holiday Homes respectively) have always combined well with an incredible host of holiday home rental options. Low cost airlines provide countless options throughout the UK and the channel tunnel has also profited hugely from the ash cloud disruption.

Brittany in northern France is an easy ‘drive to’ option for Brits and the Cote d’Azur will always be popular for the glitz and glamour. In Spain, city breaks to Barcelona have proven highly desirable and the Costa del Sol still provides a safe bet for thousands of visiting Brits every year. The Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca have also been very popular for visitors to the Pure Holiday Homes website. Not just famous for their party atmosphere, the islands provide a wealth of stunning villas to rent at amazing prices.

“I believe there have been several contributing factors in the sharp increase in popularity of stay at home holidays in the UK. The world has been through massive economic ups and downs over the last year and when combined with the ash cloud situation, people will turn to what they know and what they can be confident in. Removing the cost of air travel and possible shocks on exchange rates can have a huge effect on an overall holiday budget and with a wide selection of fantastic rental properties across the UK, Brits are clearly choosing the safe option.” comments Sean Collins, Joint CEO of Pure Holiday Homes.

Pure Holiday Homes is a new holiday rental portal offering unique self-catering properties at home and abroad for holidaymakers seeking better value, more flexibility and greater choice.

Pure Holiday Homes offers fast, efficient and user-friendly ways to search and book that perfect holiday rental. Holidaymakers deal direct with owners so there are no hidden costs or fees.

Pure Holiday Homes currently features over 10,100 homes and the number of properties is expected to grow to 30,000 by the end of 2010.  The website offers the perfect solution to both holidaymakers searching for that perfect holiday rental and homeowners looking for a cost effective route to the market for a modest subscription fee of just £150. Even at £150, the listing price of Pure Holiday Homes is approximately half that of the more established companies in this sector.

Further market leading and totally unique features both for holidaymakers and homeowners will be unveiled over the next six months.

For more information please visit www.pureholidayhomes.com

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* 63,500 searches analysed.

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pureholidayhomes.com is a new holiday rental portal offering unique self-catering properties at home and abroad for holidaymakers seeking better value, more flexibility and greater choice.

pureholidayhomes.com offers fast, efficient and user-friendly ways to search and book that perfect holiday rental. Holidaymakers deal direct with owners so there are no hidden costs or fees. The website currently features over 9,900 properties, state-of-the-art search functions, and opportunities for last minute deals as well as fantastic early bird savings.

Other services include the Let Us Inspire You section, helping holidaymakers to choose the very best of summer holiday homes, charming cottages and seaside retreats, as well as many lovely properties in France and Italy. The News section reminds fun-loving travellers to book their accommodation in time for some of the most exciting events. The latest additions to the website are highlighted in Newly Added Properties.