Summer 2025 has been one for the books. From spontaneous weekend getaways to pet-friendly escapes, holidaymakers were on the move — and hosts who adapted to the shifting market trends came out on top. If you’ve been considering turning your home into a holiday rental or looking ahead with your existing holiday home, now’s the perfect time to reflect on what worked this season — and how you can make your property a must-book destination moving forward.
2025: The Last-Minute Market
One of the biggest takeaways from this summer? The rise of the last-minute booker. Whether due to unpredictable weather, shifting work schedules, or a desire for spontaneity, visitors in 2025 weren’t planning far ahead — they were booking a few days out, then hitting the road.
Navigating the Last Minute Holiday Booking Market
Book Now. Stay Soon.
To tap into this trend, listings that emphasized availability and flexibility won big. Properties that offered instant booking and short-notice check-ins were snapped up by eager tourists. If your calendar is too rigid, you’re missing out on a large and growing segment of guests who are ready to book now, stay soon.
Be Seen. Get Booked.
Visibility matters more than ever. This summer showed us that properties with fresh, vibrant photos, updated descriptions, and clear amenities were the ones that stood out in crowded marketplaces. Optimising your listing for mobile search and making it easy to scroll, see, and book quickly helped hosts stay ahead of the competition.
Stay Competitive
With more homeowners entering the holiday rental space, standing out means offering more than just a roof over guests’ heads. This year, the best-performing listings embraced flexibility and focused on guest-friendly perks.
Last-Minute Deals Win Bookings
Last-minute discounts and limited-time offers helped fill gaps in calendars — and attract price-conscious guests looking for value. Even modest discounts made a big difference. It’s better to fill a few empty nights at a lower rate than to let your property sit idle.
Pets Welcome. Calendars Full.
Another major win for hosts this summer? Embracing furry guests. Pet-friendly properties saw an increase in bookings, longer stays, and glowing reviews. With more people treating pets as family, offering a dog-friendly space — complete with bowls, beds, or a secure garden— turned out to be a game-changer.
Short Stays. Big Impact.
Long gone are the days when weekend bookings weren’t worth it. This summer showed us that short stays, even two-night getaways can bring in steady income and five-star reviews. Plus, shorter stays mean more exposure, more reviews, and a more active calendar, all of which help your listing rank higher in searches.
Whether you’re just starting out or thinking of taking your holiday home to the next level, the lessons from summer 2025 are clear: be flexible, be visible, and be ready. The guests are out there, make sure your home is the one they choose.
Ready to turn your space into a sought-after stay? The time to start is now.
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