The tourism industry is now worth more than £137 billion to the UK economy and with the latest Census figures showing that more than 1.6 million people in England now own a second home, could you be ready to join the queue of people buying a holiday cottage and welcoming guests through their doors? We take […]
On the 8th September 2015, the Met Office announced they would begin naming storms expected to affect the UK and Ireland. Few of us could have quite expected the pace at which we would run through the alphabet; the nation braced itself for Abigail on 10th November, and before the end of the year we […]
As the country braces itself for potentially ice-cold conditions this winter, forgive us for reminding you of the importance of protecting your holiday home from the cold. We see more burst pipe and escape of water insurance claims than any other. The damage caused can be significant but there are several simple steps holiday homeowners […]
18th May 2012 may have been just another day for most, but for Facebook it was another significant step in the astronomical rise of the world’s largest social network. Their Initial Public Offering (IPO) not only set the value of the company at a whopping $104 billion but also set the course of the company […]
This year’s autumn budgetary statement from George Osborne had many looking on intently, wondering just how far cuts would reach, and where extra revenue would be gained as the country continues to ‘balance the books’ and reduce the deficit. Those wishing to invest in an additional home may wish to consider speeding up their purchase […]
We speak with holiday homeowners and their holiday home letting agents each and every day. This constant contact gives us an understanding of the issues you’re facing on a daily basis, but we also strive to understand the bigger picture; what’s making the industry tick, tourism trends and the opportunities these developments potentially provide you […]
English Tourism Week (ETW) is coming! If you’re not already familiar with the concept, you may well be soon! Celebrating its 5th birthday next March, ETW is a weeklong celebration of events showcasing the quality and vibrancy of holiday cottages and other tourism businesses across the country. Here’s everything you need to know… What is […]
So the clocks have gone back; the nights are certainly a little darker, as are the mornings, and the mercury in the thermometer has noticeably dropped. It may seem strange that now is an opportune time to be targeting one of the fastest growing areas in the tourism industry; the winter booking. We take a […]
Times have changed; according to VisitEngland, a survey of 12,000 travellers revealed that 77% of people usually or always referenced TripAdvisor before selecting accommodation and 53% said they wouldn’t select somewhere that didn’t have reviews. Managing the reputation of your holiday letting property online is key to securing bookings. The growing importance of managing the reputation […]
With Christmas and New Year’s Eve edging ever closer, now may be the time of year that you consider providing some complimentary drinks for your guests as a gesture of seasonal goodwill. On first impressions it sounds a relatively simple concept, but many holiday homeowners might not be aware of the law when it comes […]
Most holiday homes will now have a blog or latest news section full of lovingly crafted content; things to do, places to visit and great local food to enjoy. This is an effective way of increasing engagement with your site, and also maximising your chances of your holiday letting property ranking highly in Google. So […]
As specialists in holiday home insurance we speak to cottage owners each and every day. We hear what they’re experiencing on the ground, and for that reason we’re always paying close attention to the latest Visit England statistics, which give a great indication of how buoyant holiday home bookings are the health of the industry […]
Many holiday homeowners will proudly display their award wins and certifications on entry to, or outside their property. If your accommodation is of a high quality it’s only right that you’ll want people to know, and tasteful positioning of holiday cottage signage is an obvious way of communicating this to visiting guests and passing trade. […]
We spend all day talking to holiday home and cottage owners across the UK, advising on holiday home insurance needs and dealing with claims. Whilst of course our role is to provide peace of mind by way of a safety net for owners, we also truly believe that prevention is much better than cure. Therefore […]
In the Summer Budget, announced 8th July 2015, the Chancellor confirmed an increase of 3.5% in the standard rate of insurance Premium Tax (IPT). The increase is effective for new policies and renewals due on or after the 1st November 2015. The standard rate of Insurance Premium Tax – the tax paid each time an […]
At the end of a long summer the thought of falling temperatures this winter is enough to send a shiver through the spine, but it could be the amount you’re unnecessarily spending on heating your holiday home that leaves you feeling decidedly chilly. We take a look at a few simple ways to increase the […]
So that’s it, the temperatures are beginning to fall, the school holidays are a distant memory and those visitor numbers have subsided. It’s time to take a deep breath and begin to prepare for next year. Even if your website has proven to be a real winner this summer, competition is fierce and there are […]
Adding a timber decking area to your holiday home can bring many benefits to your guests; the perfect setting to make the most of long summer nights, increased space and freedom, and the ideal spot to read a book or enjoy an alfresco meal. These are just a few of the reasons decking areas have […]
The holiday let welcome folder; so often the first point of contact that the visitor will have once they’ve made their way into your holiday home. We take a look at ten content areas to make sure that yours is a success, and adds value to their stay. A warm welcome Whilst in all likelihood […]
You only get one chance to make a first impression; your dazzling holiday home will ensure guests are happy with the accommodation, but when was the last time you updated your Holiday Let Welcome Folder? If the answer is more than a year, now could be the time to get that information folder up to […]
Many will by now be familiar with the names Christi and Bobby Shepherd, who aged just seven and six, tragically lost their lives as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning whilst on a four star family holiday at a Thomas Cook run hotel. The details behind this case have driven home the importance of taking […]
The consequences of a fire in your holiday home can be catastrophic and in some cases fatal; in the last year there were 322 fire related deaths across Great Britain, and whilst this figure is significantly down on the 1988 high of 731, there are on average 39,600 reported dwelling fires every 12 months. Despite […]
With a busy summer season now drawing to a close, an upcoming autumnal chill in the air could mean your holiday let is about to become the winter home of an unwelcome guest; the cluster fly. What are cluster flies? Slightly larger than the average household fly and appearing more sluggish in flight than their […]
In this article we look closely at a holiday home insurance claim from the restoration companies perspective. Holiday Home in Cornwall The property is a terraced house split into 3 holiday flats, all of which had suffered a vertical Escape of Water (clean) in April. All three of the flats are used as holiday properties and had summer bookings, therefore […]
When someone visits your website the words you’ve written about your holiday cottage and the way in which you’ve written them can be the difference between a booking and a missed opportunity. Encourage lookers into bookers with enticing holiday home website copy We take a look at how to achieve more holiday home bookings with […]
With 450 household fire incidents across the country each and every day (170,000 in the past year), the government has recently promised to get tougher on fire prevention. On 11 March 2015 the housing minister Brandon Lewis announced that residential landlords in England will now be required by law to install working smoke and carbon […]
Being awoken in the middle of the night by the loud blast of a fire alarm can be both terrifying and disorientating. There may well be a multitude of things rushing through your mind; is there really a fire or is it a false alarm? Where are the children? Which is the safest route from […]
As a holiday cottage complex owner does the sound of teaming up with an intermediary specialising in insurance for holiday cottage complexes sound appealing? With more than 25 years experience of insuring properties just like yours, we’re here to help you. What do we mean when we use the words ‘specialist insurance’? We devote our time […]
When we search for a holiday many of us will look to the nearest beach, others toward finding a secluded spot in the countryside, maybe even a combination of both that will keep our young family occupied for a full week. No matter what you’re looking for, one thing you’ll never be short of in […]
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to gain a truly unique view of your holiday home or holiday cottage complex? To take to the skies and give those visiting your website a real feel for the fantastic location in which your cottage nestles? If a photograph speaks a thousand words, the boundless […]