04/05/2024
A brilliant article by our new chum Amanda Hyde, about changes in the holiday let industry across the UK.
The full article came out in the printed 30th April edition but our digital excerpts are below! Grab your back copy now or I can post here when I track it down..
Or subscribers can access here..
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/hot-tubss-axe-throwing-british-holiday-lets-raising-game/
Hot tubs and axe-throwing: How British holiday lets are raising their game to survive
After Covid, demand for domestic holidays has slumped, forcing accommodation companies and Airbnb owners to stand out from the crowd
By Amanda Hyde
30 April 2024 • 11:00am
Our excerpts..
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At Westbrook Court, a large country house near Hay-on-Wye, the long list of available activities runs the gamut from axe-throwing to belly dancing, via spa treatments and chocolate-making. Owner Kari Morgan acts as a concierge, introducing guests to the region and helping them get as much from it as possible.
Herefordshire has largely gone unscathed by the recent holiday downturn.
“All the activities make for a wonderful Herefordian experience. We can book different workshops for everybody – all ages, on and offsite,” she says.
If all the bells, whistles and discounts still don’t bring in guests, or during shoulder season when things can get really quiet, owners are finding ways to diversify. Westbrook Court is launching group retreats for 2024.
“I started to think about retreats last autumn,” says Morgan. “I’m from Melbourne where doing them is the norm, but I wanted to offer ones that aren’t just sound baths and yoga. I’ve launched three for this October: one for creative entrepreneurs, then women and DIY and then the last one is a mother and daughters’ retreat.”
Morgan notes that, unlike some other areas, Herefordshire seems to have largely escaped the downturn. Occupancy is up in the Highlands, Perth/Dundee and Aberdeen too, according to AirDNA. And, of course, some properties book up fast regardless of the weather, trends or hot tub situation.
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So if you would to stay as a larger group for a celebration, or come as a solo or couple for a small group retreat, have a look at all our options that we now offer!
www.westbrookcourt.co.uk
www.visitherefordshire.co.uk
After Covid, demand for domestic holidays has slumped, forcing accommodation companies and Airbnb owners to stand out from the crowd
