The Great Kiwi National Holiday Home Survey 2015

22nd October 2015

Immediate Release

The Great Kiwi National Holiday Home Survey 2015

Loves v Hates | Gen Y & X v Baby Boomers | Men v Women | Region v Region

For the second year running, Bachcare the largest and fastest growing holiday rental company in Asia Pacific releases its annual ‘Great Kiwi National Holiday Home Survey’ right before Labour Weekend.

The results reveal insights into the Kiwi holiday psyche such as an overwhelming 95% believe holiday home rentals are an important part of Kiwi culture.

All the percentages tell an important story about the shared economy’s popularity which is on the rise and contributing to the $1.1 billion accommodation sector within the domestic tourism industry currently valued at $13 billion annually [Data sourced from report: “Better Understanding the NZ Tourism Market 2014”].

Overall the research confirms that holiday home rentals are well and truly enmeshed in tourism fabric of New Zealand society with 32% of us more likely to rent a NZ holiday home in the next twelve months and 79% with a strong preference for this type of accommodation when travelling at home.

”It’s been interesting to see over the last year that guest expectations continue to rise. Instant booking, Wifi, cleaning, house amenities are just about mandatories when you go on holiday. And, more and more people are using holiday homes when they go away. People want a similar lifestyle that they have in their daily lives made available when they go away for some time out” says Leslie Preston, founder and Managing Director of Bachcare.

Regional statistics show that a preference for the classic Kiwi bach is still alive and well, especially for those living in Waikato although modern and luxury holiday homes are now the most preferred by all generations of New Zealanders.

Cantabrians top the list for favouring newly built modern holiday homes whereas luxury homes equipped with all the mod-cons are the number one favourite with locals from Taranaki and the Manawatu. Apartments were preferred the most by those in the Hawkes Bay.

“Space and comfort”, “value for money”, “location” and “self-catering” are the primary reasons why Kiwis love hiring holiday homes. What they don’t love according to the data is the prospect of being taxed. If you ever wondered what Kiwis thought if their favourite holiday region applied a visitor levy or domestic visitor tax? The answer is clear – 91% would vote with their feet and at least explore other options.

Compared to the 2014, this year’s data shows an unrelenting preference for Wifi which can be a clincher when deciding on a particular holiday home, 84% expected post-departure services like cleaning and rubbish removal which is also on the rise year-on-year.

One new emerging trend is the rising expectation for in-house consumables like grocery and beverage items to be stocked in pantries prior to arrival just like linen.

Figures also indicate that 41% (even more for Aucklanders) do not clock out of their jobs and finding it increasingly harder to switch off from work. This applied to more men than women with 48% admitting to checking emails from afar even when on holiday.

The numbers revealed other gender contrasts between the sexes. More than half of the men surveyed value the convenience factor of linen hire at 62% whilst 89% of women rate “relaxing with family and friends” and “going to the beach” as their top priorities.

Generational differences show up too. Predictably Wifi is absolutely mandatory for Millennials/Gen Y (18-34 year demographic), no doubt for access to streaming services and social media. So it’s not a surprise that 98% view instant real-time booking capability as essential. They also have the highest preference for in-house consumables and are the highest growth sector for the holiday home rental market in the country.

Gen X (35-54 year demographic) worked the most with 44% needing to do some form of work while on holiday and they rate “value for money” at the top of their list for booking holiday homes.

The classic Kiwi bach has now been well and truly superseded in favour of the modern holiday home which is preferred by 73% of Baby Boomers (55+ year demographic). In order of priority they value “space and comfort” as the top reasons for renting a holiday home. Wifi was deemed not essential and was the lowest polling category for this age group whom prefers reading as their favourite form of activity.

A resounding 99% said their last holiday home experience was provided in a “safe” environment surrounded by all the comforts to remind them of home.

ENDS [Word Count 764]

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