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The trends driving demand into 2026 have their roots in the preceding year.

John Bray Cornish Holidays enters 2026 with confidence, following a year of changing guest behaviour and evolving booking trends across Cornwall.

Across the county, fluctuating search volumes for UK breaks created a more competitive landscape in 2025, yet demand for North Cornwall holidays remained resilient, driven by customers seeking flexibility, spontaneity and high-quality coastal escapes.

The wider Cornish market continued to see a clear rise in late bookings, with 28% of stays secured within four weeks of arrival and 18% booked within a week, a trend heavily influenced by weather-dependent planners and the growing popularity of spur-of-the-moment getaways. Short breaks also held strong, accounting for 28% of all bookings, reflecting a national shift towards more frequent, shorter UK trips. Pet-friendly stays, which now account for 27% of bookings, continue to be a major driver of guest decision-making, with these properties delivering higher occupancy and revenue on average.

Across the John Bray Cornish Holidays portfolio, several standout properties helped define a successful 2025. Point Break in Polzeath saw an impressive 48 bookings last year and is already building momentum for the year ahead, with 27 confirmed for 2026. West Cottage followed closely with 39 bookings in 2025 and 23 already secured for the new season, while Trevan House enjoyed 32 bookings and 22 already booked for 2026*.

Looking ahead, early bookings for 2026 across Cornwall are very encouraging. Bookings for the season are up on the same point as last year, with particular demand for the spring and summer. This positive start has been bolstered by the rapid rise of AI-assisted holiday planning. With 70% of UK holidaymakers now using AI platforms in their search and decision-making process, digital discovery is accelerating.

Underpinning this momentum is the strength of the John Bray Cornish Holidays brand. A trusted name in North Cornwall for over 50 years, the agency combines local expertise from its Rock and Port Isaac teams with the powerful marketing reach of Sykes Holiday Cottages, which includes an annual £35m marketing budget, dual platform visibility with access to 700+ partner sites.

If you would be interested in a free, no-obligation income appraisal for your holiday let, contact the New Property team today.

* Booking figures correct as of 15/12/25.

John Bray Cornish Holidays
01208 863206
newowners@johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk
www.johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk