Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has released its annual Business Outlook report, titled Business Outlook 2026, providing an assessment of market performance during 2025 and outlining expectations for 2026 across the sectors in which the firm operates, including leisure. The report was published in early 2026 and draws on transactional activity, investor behavior, and operating conditions observed throughout 2025.
According to the report, the leisure sector, which includes holiday parks, marinas, visitor attractions, gyms, and cinemas, demonstrated resilience during 2025 despite ongoing economic pressures and regulatory change.
Christie & Co notes that consumer demand for leisure experiences remained strong, supporting activity in holiday parks, marinas, and active leisure venues. Short breaks, wellness-related offerings, and family-oriented experiences continued to underpin demand, particularly in domestic and regional markets.
Within the holiday park segment, the report identifies sustained interest in parks with more than 150 pitches, largely due to the stability of pitch fee income. This trend is relevant for operators and investors assessing scale, operational efficiency, and long-term revenue predictability.
In the marina market, Christie & Co reports that while the surge in boating activity seen during the pandemic has moderated, established marinas continue to record high occupancy levels. The report also highlights early signs of demographic change, with younger customers entering what has traditionally been an older market.
Investment volumes across leisure property were more subdued in 2025. Christie & Co attributes this to investor caution linked to occupier credit strength and uneven recovery across leisure sub-sectors.
Although interest rate reductions during the year provided some easing of financing conditions, operators continued to face cost pressures from inflation, increases in the National Living Wage, and higher employer National Insurance contributions. Insolvency levels across the wider economy remained above pre-pandemic benchmarks, reinforcing a cautious investment environment.
Labour availability remained a challenge throughout 2025, particularly for skilled roles in fitness, entertainment, and tourism. The report notes that many operators responded by adopting automation, flexible staffing arrangements, and revised operating models, though recruitment difficulties persisted in seasonal locations.
Environmental, social, and governance considerations also played a growing role in both operational decision-making and investment assessments.
Despite these challenges, Christie & Co reports continued investor interest in experiential, immersive, and wellness-led leisure assets. High-net-worth individuals and family offices remained active buyers, particularly where assets demonstrated clear differentiation and long-term demand drivers.
Looking ahead to 2026, the report anticipates continued growth in experiential and active leisure, greater emphasis on ESG as an investment criterion, and further workforce innovation driven by staffing constraints.
Energy and insurance costs are expected to remain volatile, while lending conditions are likely to favor established operators with proven trading performance.
Jon Patrick, director – head of leisure & development at Christie & Co, said, “While cost pressures and staff shortages remain challenging, consumer demand for experiences continues to drive growth across holiday parks, marinas and visitor attractions.”
”Investors are increasingly focusing on assets which combine immersive experiences with strong ESG credentials, and operators who innovate in these areas will stand out. With cautious lending and selective expansion shaping the market, 2026 offers opportunities for those prepared to adapt and invest strategically.”
Click here to read the full report.
For owners and operators in the outdoor hospitality and holiday park sectors, the findings underscore the importance of scale, operational efficiency, workforce planning, and ESG positioning as they plan capital investment and expansion strategies for 2026.