Why North Devon based company Holidaycottages.co.uk is keen to continue investing in the region

Devon has long been a popular destination for tourists, travelling from all over the country and further afield to escape the city and make the most of this beautiful, natural county.

When storms hit the South West in the early part of this year, Britain held its breath as Devon fought back with the strong message that it remains firmly ‘open for business’.

The tourism industry may have experienced a temporary blip with the bad weather, but a poll carried out by independent tourism website, Stayindevon.co.uk, found that 75% of people surveyed are not put off from booking a break in the South West. Matt Fletcher of Stayindevon.co.uk says “The South West of England is a beautiful part of the world whatever the weather, and with organic visits to the website up 45% for the beginning of the year, we are expecting significant numbers of visitors to come and enjoy what we have on offer here in 2014.”

Even during the bad weather, visitors’ enthusiasm for the county was far from dampened down. National agency Holidaycottages.co.uk reported that customers who took a holiday in Devon in January and February 2014 gave their cottage break an average 96% rating, in spite of the rainy conditions.

And now it’s time to put the wet weather behind us - this summer is looking set to be a corker. The Independent has reported that summer 2014 is predicted to be the hottest ever, with global weather patterns pointing to a 75% chance of temperatures exceeding record highs.

This is certainly good news for tourism in Devon. Home to some of the finest and cleanest beaches in the country, holding a whopping 16 Blue Flag awards between them, the county has plenty to offer visitors who wish to relax and enjoy the warm weather.

Holidaycottages.co.uk are confident that the future for Devon tourism is as sunny as the expected weather. The company is keen to invest more in the region, and, given its long-standing presence in the county, it is the ideal choice for property owners interested in holiday letting.

The North-Devon based company now has a collection of more than 1,800 properties across the UK and, while expanding into new regions, they are keen to continue growing their portfolio in the county of their roots. Cottages in Devon account for over a third of the company’s bookings; they already offer an impressive choice - from idyllic rural retreats to amazing group accommodation, boasting everything from private swimming pools to beachside locations.

The key to running a successful holiday letting is ensuring that potential customers can find your property, and that it is represented by a trusted and respected agency.

Holidaycottages.co.uk were honoured to receive a Gold Trusted Merchant Award from independent review system Feefo, having achieved a fantastic overall rating of 98% for customer service.

The company’s director, James Morris says “Each of our properties is professionally photographed and marketed to its full potential on the website and in printed brochures. Over 4 million people visited our website last year and our successful TV advert has reached a huge proportion of our target market across the country.”

He goes on to say “As an owner with Holidaycottages.co.uk you will be partnered with a personal property manager who will inspect your cottage and always be available to answer any queries you may have. You’ll receive payments in advance and 24/7 access to a bespoke owner account online to keep you up to date with everything regarding your property.”

Established in 1979, the Visit England Quality Accredited agency has grown their business on offering that personal touch and genuinely caring about their customers and owners.

Debbie Mckenzie, Reservations Consultant says “Our customers enjoy the personal service they receive from people who really know the property and the Devon area. We are often asked for by name and this friendly and professional approach has helped us to build up an extensive base of returning customers.”

If you are an owner of a holiday property in Devon looking for representation, contact Holidaycottages.co.uk’s friendly property team on 01237 459 907 to arrange a free appraisal.