Stayz Group survey reveals investment in eco-friendly holiday properties leads to increased bookings

New research released from The Stayz Group highlights a significant number of holiday property owners are making environmental investments to make their accommodation more attractive to tourists.

Respondents, from the booming tourism market sector that consists of smaller properties, of which holiday houses and units make up the majority share, have previously been underrepresented by other sources of travel data, and is a valuable barometer for performance in the tourism industry.

The independent study of 900 holiday rental property owners across the country, conducted by Nielsen, revealed that:

• 66% of Australian holiday rental property managers and owners believe that having environmentally friendly properties is important or extremely important.
• 41% have made eco changes to their property - 19% of whom made changes between April and June this year.
• Of those that have made environmentally friendly changes almost a quarter (24%) had invested in excess of $5,000 and a further 19% had spent more than $2,000.
• An amazing 8% say that they have already seen an increase in enquiries about their property as a result of their eco investment.

Sustainable tourism is growing and these figures act as a strong indicator that owners and managers in the industry will continue to green their portfolios to help make themselves more attractive to holidaymakers, reduce long-term costs and feel positive about their contribution to the environment. Some of the most popular changes being made to holiday rental properties include water saving appliances, better insulation, energy efficient appliances and installation of solar panels.

Stayz Group Business Development Director Justin Butterworth explains "competition in the tourism market has never been greater and the holiday rental segment is making environmental investments to create a point of differentiation to appeal to the increasing number of consumers taking an interest in sustainable holidays.

"With 8% of respondents saying they had already seen an increase in bookings since making changes to their property, weï¾re expecting to see this trend continue across the properties listed on the Stayz Group websites."

The Stayz Group represents more than 40,000 properties.

For more information go to www.stayz.com.au

Image: Alstonville Country Cottages

21st July 2011 - BOOMING HOLIDAY RENTAL INDUSTRY COMES TOGETHER FOR INAUGURAL SUMMIT