UK Rental Properties Popular with Tourists

Tourists prefer private rental properties to chain hotels, thus boosting the buy to let sector in Great Britain.

The number of foreign tourists visiting UK increased significantly in Q2 2011. As such, research showed that 8.3 million tourists visited Great Britain this year, which compares to 7.8 million in Q2 2010. This represents a 7.4% rise.

Most of the tourists were from Europe and the United States. According to the research by a Where to Sleep? website, most the tourists preferred to rent holiday properties rather than to book hotels, which are more expensive and yet less comfortable. An average room rent in UK now stands at 55 pounds, which compares to 83 pounds for a hotel room.

Commenting on the findings, Mr. Dobrolecki of Where to Sleep? said: "...More and more are choosing to rent out their spare rooms or entire properties on a short term basis to holiday makers. These are much cheaper than hotels on average and give travellers the opportunity to experience living away from the traditional tourist traps."