Reading Time: 4 minutes Our recent reports into the state of travel in 2020 and 2021 revealed some interesting data around the impact the pandemic has had on tourism around the world. Here at Schofields Insurance, we’re always keeping an eye on the travel industry. Today we’re revealing some shocking stats on how the pandemic has affected searches for travel in the UK – …
Reading Time: 8 minutes A Summary of UK Travel Habits in 2020 and Trends for 2021 The state of the travel industry in 2020/21 is a complicated affair. Even amidst a crisis, current data can give us helpful insights into how people feel about travelling at home and abroad, and how we in the industry can best support and reassure tourists and holiday cottage …
Reading Time: 5 minutes Humans are curious creatures, and we’re always going to want to explore the world around us to broaden our experiences of life and to better understand different cultures. But it’s a hard fact that the way in which we travel currently is having an impact on the planet. Here is where slow travel comes into play. “Slow travel, also known …
Reading Time: 6 minutes In a recent survey we ran, travellers expressed their concerns for holiday companies not being financially sound, worried that their bookings would be lost or cancelled if they went bust, and their concerns for their own personal health. Nevertheless, our data reveals that even amidst a global pandemic, people still want hope for the future. People are still renewing their …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Amid the global pandemic, here at Schofields we’ve run a survey of 1000 British travellers to uncover their concerns around travel in the coming year. The data has revealed that travel companies going bust, meaning their flights, accommodation and bookings are cancelled, is the biggest travel fear for over half of Brits. Our poll asked Brits to choose their biggest …
Reading Time: 5 minutes In light of the UK lockdown, we asked the general public of the UK what they would most like in their dream isolation retreat and where they would like it to be located. The survey shows that a lakeside location is the number 1 place people would prefer to be isolated and their absolute ‘must-haves’ for inside the home included …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Last updated: 12 May 2020 UK and Overseas Holiday Home Insurance policies Following the latest government guidance we provide the following update: The policy provides cover under Sections five: Loss of use and denial of access as follows: Your policy schedule will detail the sum insured being either £0 or a value. How to make a claim Firstly, we ask …
Reading Time: 2 minutes One thing no one likes when travelling is hoards of other tourists at the same place, taking the exact same picture you are. Rather than following the crowd, why not explore somewhere new and exciting that hasn’t been trampled underfoot by millions but is just as beautiful or extraordinary? We’ve gathered together a list of places around the world that …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Recognising where credit is due, here at Schofields, we’re celebrating the achievements of the very best holiday home websites for 2019. Thanks to everyone who voted and got involved to make the awards a huge success. Congratulations to all the winners on their achievements (and those who were shortlisted) – you all go above and beyond for the holiday home …
Reading Time: 2 minutes Millennials choose their holiday destinations on how ‘Instagrammable’ they are, but how about what you stay in? Following on from our research into holiday habits, we have created a list of the top 9 unique and unusual places you can stay. From tree houses, to a fort, now you can choose your accommodation on its ‘Instagrammability’. Thankfully, we have collated …
Reading Time: 4 minutes The growing popularity for outsiders buying a second home in Britain’s charming tourist destinations has grown in recent years. According to the 2011 Census, more than 165,000 people in the UK have a second home used primarily for holidays. And whilst some would argue second homes support the local tourism economy, others argue that ‘outsiders’ are destroying communities by only …
Reading Time: 3 minutes If your looking for a property to use as a holiday rental, we can reveal that the location that will offer the best return on investment (ROI) is Kissimmee. Our research has looked closely at the top tourist destinations across the globe over the past 2 years and those which are expected to remain popular. With this information, we have reviewed the costs of purchasing a …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Revealed are the top holiday home locations in the UK. We’ve broken down the statistics on the locations with the most properties owned and the furthest distance owners have to travel in order to reach their holiday getaway home. The benefits of having your own place in your chosen area can hold many benefits, the selected destination could hold a special …
Reading Time: 7 minutes In the last few years, holidaymakers have been duped out of thousands of pounds following the rise of travel cyber scams. Fraudsters have taken to posing as legitimate holiday property owners and tricking innocent people into handing over their hard-earned cash. Action Fraud reported that in 2015 a whopping £11.5 was stolen by online scammers. A massive 425% increase from …
Reading Time: 5 minutes Welcome to International Museum Day! Today is a day that not only celebrates history but one that celebrates culture, talent and scientific advances. Today a day that documents everything that we as the human being have strived for throughout our entire existence. All over the globe exists a dedication or memorial that reflects the beauty and history of a country, …
Reading Time: 2 minutes *Press Release* In a world where more and more people are sharing their lives online, new research has revealed that the drive to have the perfect online life is starting to affect real life decisions. The results released today have shown that over 40% of millennials are choosing their holiday destinations based upon how socially shareable their holiday will …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Police are warning owners of holiday lets to beware of sex workers using their properties as pop-up brothels. Devon and Cornwall police said that in Newquay alone they had discovered 14 such establishments and believed more had operated but had not been discovered. The issue is unlikely to be isolated to Newquay alone, it is almost certainly country wide in …
Reading Time: 4 minutes Always wanted to holiday like the rich and famous? Stay in the lap of luxury like your favourite stars? Well, now you can and you don’t need the celebrity bank balance! Here at Schofields we have collated the most luxurious celebrity holiday homes which are, or were once, owned by the stars and are now available to rent for your …
Reading Time: 1 minute As announced in the July Budget, insurance premium tax will increase on 1 November 2015 from 6 per cent to 9.5 per cent. The previous increase was in January 2011 when it increased from 1% to 6%. Insurance premium tax (or IPT) is a tax on insurance set by the Government, which is added to insurance products such as car …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Here at Schofields we like to give people the best information about buying a holiday home in both the UK and abroad, and our team of researchers have been busy compiling the best destinations for a holiday home that will provide the best investments. Our research found that Catalonia in Spain proved to have the best return on investment, with …
Reading Time: 2 minutes We are coming to the end of Movember, a month-long event where men are encouraged to grow their moustache for a month to raise awareness for prostate cancer and other male illnesses. While it is expected that we see an increase in interesting facial hair and stick-on moustaches on women who are supporting the cause, we have also seen some …
Reading Time: 2 minutes The days of dull self-catering properties decorated with second hand furnishings are a thing of the past – such properties simply won’t succeed. Modern self catering holiday lets offer a boutique experience, which often supersede that of many luxury hotels. And behind these rentals are caring owners who put a great deal of effort into marketing their properties online. They …
Reading Time: 3 minutes Although finances are tight in many households, the outlook is positive for those in the travel industry as holidays are usually the last ‘luxury item’ to be cut. However, bookings can be harder to get as trends fluctuate e.g. an increase in last minute bookings, discount requests or shorter breaks. It’s important that as a holiday let owner you understand …
Reading Time: 6 minutes Savills International and HomeAway recently released some interesting research on the second home market abroad. As to be expected, France has replaced Spain as the favourite destination for second home owners to invest. Its perception of stability, resilient house prices and ease of access help make it a safe bet for UK buyers. Traditional property hotspots and established tourist destinations, …
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s rare that reports are published on the holiday home and second home market, so it was interesting to read the recently published ‘Knight Frank 2011 new build second homes report’. It seems these days a large amount of articles and so called ‘reports’ on the holiday home market are pr spun advertorials that quote statistics without supporting evidence of …
Reading Time: 2 minutes Not again! As one of the busiest half term holidays on the travelling calendar approaches, thousands of travellers are facing disruptions as the ash cloud from Iceland’s Grimsvotn volcano approaches British airspace. With flights being cancelled, both holidaymakers and holiday home owners with changeovers in the coming days have concerns of whether travel plans will be fulfilled or cancelled. Compared …
Reading Time: 2 minutes Are you aware that from the 30th June 2011 your holiday let accommodation will need an Energy Performance Certificate if it’s rented out, short term, for a combined total of four months or more in any 12 month period? Although there has been little publication of the rules, The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that from 30th …
Reading Time: 3 minutes As announced in the 2011 budget, the changes to the Furnished Holiday Lets (FHL) tax rules come into effect today – April 6. From April 6 it will only be possible to offset trading losses from a furnished holiday lettings business against certain income from that same FHL business. The previous rules allowed holiday let owners to offset losses against …
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s time once again for our holiday home, property and travel news round-up, here’s what’s been happening… Earning an income from your holiday home isn’t easy. One of the best ways to increase your holiday lets rental potential is to target a niche – child friendly, boutique, walkers, bird watchers etc. and tailor your offering (furnishings, facilities, advertisements) to appeal …
Reading Time: 4 minutes It’s time once again for our holiday home and holiday letting news round-up, the format has changed but the content is as useful as always… The summer holidays are traditionally a period when overseas property sales increase, as those with dreams of owning their own place in the sun travel abroad. However, buying overseas can be problematic and those buying …
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