A holiday homes rental business in the Cotswolds has experienced a boost in growth due to an influx of US tourists to the area.
StayCotswold, in Stow-on-the-Wold, has seen a sharp rise in bookings by visitors from across the pond, it said, leading to a record trading period for the company.
The overall number of arrivals to its properties during the peak summer holiday season from June to August increased by 23% compared to the same period last year, with forward bookings up by 28%. August was a record month for arrivals, the company said, and US bookings now account for almost 5% of overall business.
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Gross booking value for the year to March 31 is now forecast to be over 20% higher than the previous 12 months, when StayCotswold achieved a record £11.3m.
The award-winning company has added more than 20 properties to its portfolio in the current financial year, taking the total to 275.
Its portfolio includes cottages, houses, luxury converted barns, manor houses, farmhouses and shepherd’s huts, and can cater for two people to groups of 28.
Owner-director Tracy Archer said: “The Cotswolds is awash with beautiful thatched cottages, and Americans especially want to stay in them for their quintessential English character and feel.
“While bookings from other international markets such as Australia, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands have remained steady, the American market is showing strong growth."
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Ms Archer said media focus on the region and major celebrities visiting the area had helped to create "more awareness".
“American visitors love to experience ‘real England’ by coming to the Cotswolds," she said.
"They enjoy the rolling countryside and local pubs, and find it the perfect place to relax. There’s so much history here, and they tell us it’s an ideal place to stay if they are visiting cities such as Oxford and Bath as part of their itinerary."
StayCotswold said forward bookings between April 1 and the end of August were up 42% compared with the same period last year.
Ms Archer added: “The outlook for 2026 is very positive as we continue to see growing demand from domestic and international markets.
“With more properties being added to our portfolio, we’re confident that we will continue to build on this momentum and give even more guests the chance to experience the very best of the Cotswolds.”