Holidaymakers avoid package deals in favour of rented holiday homes

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, August 29, 2010

So called package holidays have been around since the nineteenth century when travelling for a holiday first became a real possibility. Since then what is offered has changed and prices have been driven by market factors.

However the continual development of online travel booking capabilities has lead to an increasing number of holidaymakers opting to build their own holidays. Websites offering rental holiday homes directly from the owner have given renters the chance to cut out the middleman and take advantage of lower rates.

Low cost villas and apartments coupled with comparison websites now provide holidaymakers the tools they need to build their own custom holidays at competitive prices.

The change in consumer booking habits has lead to a shortfall in demand for package holidays this year leaving many tour operators with no choice but to slash prices in some cases by as much as 70 percent.

Tough economic times have also hurt the package holiday industry in additional to a series of unfortunate events including the ash cloud crisis, strikes by British Airways and the more recent threat of walkouts by BAA staff.

The real winners from the change in trends are holiday home owners who look set to see an increase in the number of days they can expect to rent out their holiday home each year.

However competition is still high in this sector with many popular holiday regions such as the Costa del Sol being packed with luxurious holiday villas and apartments. Therefore it's important for holiday home owners to ensure they put their property in the shop window.

One such website Costadelvillas, one of the fastest growing holiday home websites on the internet, offers luxurious villas in the Costa del Sol directly from the owner.

Steve Jones, of Costadelvillas, believes the change in booking habits is the starts of things to come "The internet has evolved and members of the public can now take on the role of the travel agent."

Emphasising the increasing demand for holiday rentals Jones added "Renting a holiday home directly from the owner gives holidaymakers access to luxurious accommodation that are normally off limits to high street travel agents. At Costadelvillas we've seen an increase in the number enquires for holiday villas whilst many tour operators are struggling to sell packaged deals".

With package holiday prices driven down it remains unclear whether demand will increase. However one thing we can be sure of is that Brits will continue to holiday in the Sun.

Costadelvillas advertisers villas and apartments directly from the owner. http://www.costadelvillas.co.uk