Short-term holiday rental property owners in the Illawarra/South Coast appear to be benefiting from a national shift in travel preferences.
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Holiday-goers are set to favour shorter but more frequent family getaways, according to new research commissioned by short-term holiday letting online platform Stayz.
According to the report, Australians are taking more domestic long weekend getaways in 2019 compared to 2018.
According to Stayz, Australian parents intend to take at least 50 per cent more long weekend getaways in 2019, compared to last year.
Jane Bruton and her now husband Bernard O’Bree began listing their property, 'Relax By The Sea' in Attunga Avenue, Kiama Heights via Stayz about three-and-a half years ago.
It had initially been their place of residence, but later became a holiday rental when they relocated to Culburra Beach.
"I've lived in Florida, lived overseas and travelled a lot, and I've nearly always used holiday houses," Mrs Bruton said.
"So when we thought about renting it, we thought it would do better, we'd get more money renting it out every weekend than renting it out for say, $800 per week.
"It's on the luxury end, so you get quite good money, but not what you get for renting it out on Stayz."
Mrs Bruton said the five-bedroom property is regularly booked out on weekends by families and groups.
She said some holiday-goers now booked several months, sometimes even close to a year ahead of time.
Mrs Burton said they had experienced a shift towards holiday-makers deciding to take shorter, but more frequent trips such as long weekend getaways.
"The only time we don't get that is Christmas when you get people booking for six or seven nights," she said.
"Other than that they're booking for long weekends.
"When we first started it was people mainly only wanting one night because you're close to Sydney.
"But with the roads improving and everything, and people wanting to have smaller holidays, more frequently - that's what I'm finding with my bookings.
"It may change depending on the type of property, but with ours, people book for events like get-togethers."
Simone McDermid, PR and communications manager for Stayz said data indicated that the Illawarra has an average length of stay of 2.6 nights in the high season and 4.2 nights in the low season, showcasing the popularity of short breaks like long weekends.
She said two-five bedroom homes are the most popular choice for Stayz travellers to the region, and peak times like summer and school holidays are the most popular times of year when occupancy is high.
Data indicated the average length of stay for Stayz travellers to the South Coast is 2.9 days in the high season and 3.8 days in the low season, signalling that long weekends are the most popular booked holiday length.