March 2025 Booking Trends

March 2025 Booking Trends: Insights, Year-on-Year Comparison & Staycation Market Trends in Devon

As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that the staycation trend continues to thrive, especially in beloved UK holiday destinations like Devon. This post takes a deep dive into the latest booking data for March 2025, comparing it to previous years, and explores how these figures align with broader trends in the UK tourism industry — particularly the ever-growing popularity of domestic travel.

From understanding where our guests are coming from, how long they’re staying, to benchmarking our performance against previous years and the wider Devon market, this analysis offers vital insights for property managers, investors, and travel enthusiasts alike.

1. March 2025 in Focus: A Record-Setting Month

March 2025 proved to be a banner month for bookings. A total of 123 bookings were made — a significant leap from 68 in March 2023 and 56 in March 2024. This represents a nearly 82% increase over two years, and a 120% increase over 2022, highlighting not only our recovery from the pandemic-era travel slump but also the increased demand for off-peak getaways.

Key Points:

  • March 2025 bookings: 123

  • March 2024 bookings: 56

  • March 2023 bookings: 68

  • March 2022 bookings: 24

This sharp uptick in early-year travel suggests shifting consumer behavior. Travelers are increasingly choosing to avoid peak summer congestion, instead opting spread their bookings into quieter, more serene holidays during shoulder months.

2. Year-to-Date Performance: January to March Comparisons

When we extend our view to include January and February, the trend becomes even more compelling. The total bookings for Q1 of 2025 (January–March) stand at 397, broken down as follows:

  • January 2025: 156 bookings

  • February 2025: 118 bookings

  • March 2025: 123 bookings

Compared to Q1 2024’s total of 201 bookings, this represents a 97.5% increase year-on-year. This indicates not just stronger March performance, but a healthier booking environment overall.

This early-year boom may be attributed to:

  • A strong start to the year with marketing and promotions.

  • Better weather predictions prompting early travel.

  • Continued enthusiasm for domestic travel despite economic headwinds.

3. Where Are Our Bookings Coming From?

Understanding the source of bookings offers clues about traveler intent and behavior. While full demographic data requires deeper CRM analysis, preliminary data indicates that the majority of March 2025 bookings came from:

  • Booking.com is our standout referral of bookings with 160 bookings coming in for them this quarter.
  • Sykes Cottages have provided us with 71 bookings this quarter, compared to 72 taken for the whole of last year.

  • Repeat guests have booked 48 breaks this quarter – (a strong sign of customer satisfaction)

  • Trip Advisor (increasing year on year) have already hover us 48 bookings. This is coming off the back of Finlakes advertising.

  • UK-based guests, especially from Greater London, Birmingham, and the Home Counties are those generally booking, however we have had guests from New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Australia and the USA book this quarter.

We’re also seeing a modest rise in bookings via social platforms and affiliate influencers — a trend that warrants deeper investment going forward.

4. Length of Stay: Guests Are Lingering Longer

One standout trend in 2025 has been the increase in average nights per stay. March 2025 data shows a marked rise in 3-to-5 night stays, as compared to shorter weekend breaks in previous years.

This aligns with a broader UK-wide trend in which travelers aim to maximize their time away without flying abroad. Longer stays are also boosted by the growing popularity of remote work and “workations,” especially among young professionals and creative workers.

Implications:

  • Pricing strategies can shift to better incentivise week-long stays.

  • Mid-week promotions could target flexible remote workers.

  • Additional services (e.g.,Air friers, Games Stations, Improved Wifi) could improve the guest experience.

5. Comparative Trends: 2021–2025

To contextualize this growth, let’s look at March bookings across the past five years:

 

Year Bookings in March
2021 (Data not available)
2022 24
2023 68
2024 56
2025 123

These numbers tell a powerful story. After a dip in 2024 (likely due to cost-of-living concerns and early inflation spikes), 2025 has bounced back significantly — nearly doubling 2023’s performance.

It’s clear that despite economic uncertainties, demand for local getaways remains strong. This is especially true for regions like Devon that offer a mix of scenic charm, accessibility, and relative affordability.

6. The Bigger Picture: Staycation Trends in Devon

Devon has long been a cornerstone of the UK’s domestic tourism sector, and in 2025, it’s clear the region is outperforming many others. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening across the county:

📈 Growth in Domestic Travel

According to Visit Devon and recent industry reports:

  • 2025 has seen a 9–12% increase in domestic travel to South West England compared to 2024.

  • The South Hams and North Devon regions are particularly popular, with bookings peaking for coastal and countryside accommodations.

🏖️ Rural Escapes Preferred

Travelers are choosing more remote properties:

  • Cottages, barn conversions, and lodges are trending.

  • Demand for properties with private outdoor space or hot tubs has surged.

  • Nature-based activities like hiking, sea-swimming, and foraging retreats are in demand.

💡 Sustainability is Driving Decisions

Sustainable tourism is no longer niche. Properties with eco-friendly practices — such as solar energy, recycling, and locally-sourced welcome packs — are seeing more direct bookings. Guests are increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint, and Devon’s eco-conscious ethos fits perfectly with this new travel mindset.

7. Strategic Recommendations

Based on the data and trends, here are a few takeaways that we have gained:

✅ Optimize for Longer Stays

Capitalise on the trend of extended visits by offering discounts for 4+ night stays and highlighting amenities that suit remote workers.

✅ Embrace Shoulder Seasons

With strong March numbers, there’s an opportunity to treat off-peak months as major booking windows. Promotions, event partnerships, or seasonal content can help drive bookings in quieter periods.

✅ Highlight Sustainable Practices

Make sure your green credentials are clear on your website and OTA listings. Travelers are actively choosing environmentally responsible properties.

8. Looking Ahead: The Road Through 2025

If current trends continue, 2025 could break previous records for domestic travel, especially in destinations like Devon. Early-year performance has already outpaced expectations, and with summer bookings starting to come in strong, there’s plenty of reason for optimism.

However, with growth comes competition. Ensuring a memorable guest experience — from booking to checkout — will be key to converting first-time visitors into repeat guests.

9. Conclusion

March 2025 has set the tone for what looks to be a milestone year for Devon’s staycation market. With bookings nearly doubling from prior years, and signs of sustained traveler interest through longer stays and earlier planning, the momentum is unmistakable.

For anyone in the holiday rental market, now is the time to double down on guest experience during their property is of a high quality to get the report guests and high recommendations.

As the UK continues to embrace local travel, Devon remains one of the jewels in the crown — and 2025 may very well be its brightest year yet.