Holidaymakers Say No To Hotels In Cyprus

During the recession it seems not everyone thinks that a holiday means having to stay in hotels. Some countries just offer so much more for a tourist to stay in while enjoying the country. Cyprus happens to be one tourist mecca that offers visitors alternative accommodation from hotels.

In fact statistics indicate that less than half - only 48 per cent - of visitors to Cyprus actually stay in hotels. Information from the Cyprus Statistical Service reveals that less than half the tourists stayed in 5-star hotels or any other grade hotel.

Alternative Accommodation in Cyprus

Some popular rooming options for visitors to the country include the following:

o Staying with relatives and friends: Some holidaymakers opt to stay with friends or relatives while visiting Cyprus. There are many benefits from going this route apart from the monetary savings. Friends and relatives have an ear to what's happening in Cyprus and help make a holiday more memorable. And after booking flights to Cyprus a friend picking you up is a lot cheaper than a taxi!

Splitting the cost of food and even transportation makes this a popular cost-saving method for the thrifty vacationer. Guests can offer to reciprocate so that the host can stay with them when they go on holiday.

o Apartments: These can be self-contained, or hired help comes along with the rental. They generally cost less than hotels. If apartments are rented by a group, everyone pays less.

o House swapping: This involves swapping houses, whether residential or vacation homes, with others in various countries or regions. This is normally free, and guests only cover food and small incidentals. Finding people to swap houses with is possible through word-of-mouth or websites dedicated to this.

o Self-catering villas: Tourists can save money by staying at villas if they are willing to take care of their own needs. Since visitors do not have anyone cooking for them, the cost of these villas and apartments is much less than traditional hotels.

With the recession hitting the USA and affecting almost every corner of the globe, people are looking at cutting costs. Vacations to other countries have taken a downward turn especially in the US. Savvy tourists have turned to cheaper accommodation to make their holidays happen.

The list of alternative and cheaper accommodation above offers some of the options available to tourists - they are attractive alternatives because, unlike hotels, they typically don't increase rates based on number of occupants.

One popular way of cutting costs while holidaying in Cyprus and elsewhere is to share villas and hotel rooms with friends. This results in significant savings as the cost of everything is divided among the guests. These kinds of arrangements work well with close family members, friends or college students. Motor homes as vacation accommodation are also beginning to find favour.

Most of the alternatives to hotels allow tourists to prepare their own meals. By preparing their own meals, tourists will realise substantial savings as well. The decision to prepare meals instead of eating at a hotel is even more important with larger groups.

With these kinds of cost saving methods, tourists will find that their major expense is just the airfare.

Travelling and enjoying your holiday without spending a lot is possible as long as research is done to find the right accommodation. Normally, the hotel is the most expensive component of any holiday. If this cost can be controlled by finding cheaper or free accommodation, holidays are possible even during an economic downturn lasting a couple of years.

Villa and Cyprus holiday information is available with yourcyprus.info

A five day Cyprus weather forecast along with the weather in Cyprus now is another resource.