Half a million holiday let enquiries since January as spring sunshine keeps the UK top for Easter

* Half a million enquiries for holiday villas and cottages generated year to date
20 per cent uplift on 2010

* ‘Let’s holiday now’ trend returns
54 per cent increase in February holidays booked in February, followed by 22 per cent increase in March holidays booked in March

* Bank holiday fever fuels April demand
67 per cent uplift in demand for April accommodation year on year – second most popular month to escape this year behind July. UK homes most popular.

* Spain continues to dominate summer demand
More than half the Spanish homes (57%) on Holiday Lettings are already booked for the second week of the school summer holidays (30 July – 6 Aug) and 50 per cent for the first week (23-30 July)

Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, spokesperson for holidaylettings.co.uk, says: “The recognised saving when renting a villa, gîte or cottage is hitting home with consumers in tough economic times. In most cases there’s no VAT to pay on a rental and perhaps most importantly for families, the cost per person is significantly less – half that of booking hotel rooms in many instances. “With regards summer demand, Spanish holiday homes continue to dominate. The Balearics are particularly benefitting this year – we’re currently seeing a 26 per cent increase in demand for accommodation there year on year and third of accommodation is already booked for the first week of the school summer holidays in July. “Both Spain’s reputation for offering value for money family holidays and its longstanding place in the hearts of British holidaymakers are likely to be contributing to its popularity so far this year for advance summer bookings, especially when prices for a studio apartment rental sleeping four start at £89/week. “The last minute booking trend of 2009 could also be making a return as we take holidays once we know e can afford them, rather than planning too far in advance. This trend is particularly prominent in the UK and in city locations where short or weekend breaks are also a popular option.”