Holidaycottages.co.uk continue to invest in the county
Tourism is becoming increasingly important to the Dorset economy, with over 30 million recorded trips to the county in 2012, according to the Dorset Tourism Partnership.
The Dorset coast developed into an attractive destination for tourists in Georgian and Victorian times, when seaside resorts like Swanage were springing up throughout the UK. Between the 1950s and 1970s there was a period of steady growth for the industry in the region, spurred on by the increased mobility afforded by rail and road travel.
Foreign holidays took some of the focus off the UK in the late 80s and early 90s, but more recently, figures from the Office of National Statistics have revealed an 18% increase in ‘staycations’ between 2009 and 2012.
In addition to domestic tourism, foreign visitor numbers are on the increase. According to a study by Deloitte inbound tourism could boost the economy by £12 billion a year by 2025.
Dorset is certainly doing its bit to capture the attention of tourists, both foreign and domestic. At February’s South West Tourism Excellence awards, 66 awards were given to attractions across the region from a record number of entries. The National Trust’s Brownsea island won a silver award for Tourism Activity and the Dorset Seafood Festival won silver for Tourism Event of the Year, to name but a couple of those honoured at the ceremony.
Indeed, festivals are another real draw for visitors, from the Purbeck Literary Festival or the Dorset County show, to a whole range of musical events and food and drink festivals scheduled throughout the year.
David Tennant fans will know that another great attraction is the fact that Dorset’s Jurassic Coast was the filming location for ITV1’s hit drama series Broadchurch. There’s even a Broadchurch trail for dedicated viewers.
The positive outlook for the future of tourism in Dorset is encouraging continued investment from UK wide companies such as Holidaycottages.co.uk. Managing Director James Morris explains why: “For many years holiday properties in Dorset have represented an important part of our portfolio. We already have almost 100 cottages in the region and demand is such that we are now looking to expand our collection by welcoming new owners on board.”
If you’re looking at letting out your holiday property in Dorset, Holidaycottages.co.uk are well placed to offer the exposure necessary to reach your potential customers.
There are a number of benefits to partnering with the company to market your property, from receiving payment in advance to professional photography for use in marketing across all channels, including websites, social media, newsletters, brochures and targeted online adverts.
Their network of foreign websites also means that your property is exposed to the ever-growing inbound market.
As a cottage owner you will be partnered with a dedicated property manager who will carry out inspections and work with you to ensure that your property reaches its full potential. 24/7 access to an online owner account means that you’ll always have the information regarding your property at your fingertips.
Property manager Sue Crouch says: “When you’ve put a lot of care into your holiday property, we understand that letting it out can be a stressful experience. We build an honest, professional relationship with owners to remove the hassle and ensure that you and guests of your property receive the highest standards of service. Our 98% overall rating for customer service from independent review company Feefo can testify to this.”
Their Dorset portfolio encompasses a whole range of properties, from stunning barn conversions and cosy cottages, to apartments and houses with incredible coastal and countryside views. They are looking to welcome owners of any style and size of property in Dorset in order to cater for the needs of all customers.
If you own a holiday property in Dorset and would like help to gain exposure and maximise your return, speak to one of Holidaycottages.co.uk’s friendly property team on 01237 459 912 to book a free, no obligation appraisal.
