THE Cotswolds will be a magnet for holidaymakers and purchasers from home and abroad in 2017, according to Colliers International.

The hospitality specialist is predicting that this year the UK regional hotels market will be supported by low interest rates and cheap sterling, solid UK trading, acquisitive domestic buyers and an increasing flow of international capital.

It is believed the Cotswolds will benefit from these national and international factors – and also from its heritage and location.

Peter Brunt, hotels director, said: “The Cotswolds are ‘classic England’ as far as visitors are concerned and with its pretty villages and easy accessibility from the capital it is always a considerable draw.

“Operators are already feeling the increased demand from overseas visitors and this is one of the reasons fuelling a strong demand for hospitality businesses in the region.

“The last quarter of 2016 saw a noticeable uptick of enquiries from buyers seeking a business in the region including a number of overseas high net worth individuals or corporations seeking investments in Britain.”

Julian Troup, head of UK Hotels Agency at Colliers International, went on to point out that low interest rates and poorly performing savings accounts, ISAs and pension schemes could persuade more people to think of buying into the hospitality sector whether it be hotel, pub or Bed & Breakfast.