An extensive selection of short-term accommodation to let is one of the main reasons for the perennial popularity of the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast among festive season holidaymakers.

"There is genuinely something to suit every preference and every pocket," says Des Robb, principal of the Homenet offices in Pennington and Scottburgh, "from upmarket hotels through cosy B&Bs to an incredible range of self-catering chalets, flats and houses.

"Holidaymakers on the Hibiscus Coast are quite simply spoilt for choice - and the attraction is enhanced by the fact that the area also has so many superb golf courses, as well as a host of lifestyle attractions and special activities for holidaymakers."

It's no surprise then, that 90% of the holiday homes to let in Robb's area have already been booked for the peak 20 December to 2 January period.

And Teresa de Klerk, principal of Homenet St. Michaels On Sea which also covers the Margate, Ramsgate, Shelley Beach and Uvongo areas is also expecting a maximum capacity crowd of holiday tenants at that time.

"In fact, the South Coast is such a great get-away destination for the whole family that many people book their holiday accommodation here months in advance year after year - and most establishments are fully booked by November."

So what are tenants paying for coastal lets during the peak, end-year period? Robb says rentals vary tremendously, from standard holiday homes at R100 per person per night, to beachfront homes at prime addresses such as Cherry Lane and Salmon Drive in Pennington, where tenants can expect to pay R3000 for the home per night,.

Looking at the trends in the holiday letting market, De Klerk notes that in recent years families have not been staying as long as they used to.
"Previously, the average length of stay was three to four weeks, but now families generally only stay for two weeks. This can be attributed to the fact that accommodation has become two to three times more expensive in the past few years."

However, concerns that higher fuel prices and interest rate increases would keep holidaymakers away have proved unfounded - although, says Robb, the rate increases have dampened buyer's enthusiasm for local holiday units this year.

De Klerk notes, however, that there has been an increase in demand for homes along the South Coast from retirees who "want to get away from the rat race and move to a quieter and friendlier area."

And she says another interesting trend that seems to be developing is that of holidaymakers visiting the coast during the off-peak periods.
"Holidaymakers are realising that the accommodation and grocery costs are lower, traffic is not as hectic, the beaches are less crowded and the whole region is less frenzied in off-peak periods. Of course this is also good for local business as it effectively lengthens the good trading periods."


For more information contact (039) 975 1105 or (039) 315 7725.

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