We are delighted to share some positive news with you all — half term was fully booked across the week.
This did not happen by chance. It is the result of consistent work behind the scenes, varied marketing strategies, rate management adjustments, and a continued push to increase direct bookings alongside our OTA exposure. Encouragingly, we saw a noticeable uplift in direct enquiries and confirmed direct stays, helping to reduce commission costs and strengthen long-term profitability for everyone.
This is exactly what we aim for — strong occupancy combined with smarter distribution.
Strengthening Our 5★ Presence on OTAs
As you are aware, we have been reviewing ways to improve and protect our 5-star positioning across Booking.com and Airbnb.
Whilst many historic reviews are excellent, a handful of older, lower-scoring reviews can impact overall listing performance. The reality of today’s market is simple:
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Higher review scores = better ranking
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Better ranking = more visibility
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More visibility = more bookings
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More bookings = stronger revenue
With this in mind, we are proactively working to increase the volume of high-quality, recent reviews from current guests to ensure the listings accurately reflect the standard of the properties today.
Trial: Enhanced Welcome Experience
As part of this strategy, Devon Holidays has introduced a small but thoughtful trial initiative.
We have begun supplying:
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Local Devon tea
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Local Devon Coffee
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Biscuits
These are set out in the lodge ready for guests on arrival.
The objective is simple:
Create an immediate positive first impression.
Those first few moments when guests walk through the door matter enormously. A warm, welcoming touch can help shape their overall perception of the property — and ultimately influence the review they leave.
We are currently monitoring whether this modest investment translates into:
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Improved guest satisfaction comments
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Higher review scores
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Increased review volume
If the data shows a measurable uplift, this could prove to be a small cost with significant long-term return.
£18 Review Hamper Initiative
For those owners who agreed to the £18 hamper incentive for guests leaving an OTA review, you should begin to see a gradual increase in review numbers.
This strategy is designed to:
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Encourage more guests to leave feedback
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Accelerate review growth
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Improve OTA ranking position
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Strengthen booking performance
More reviews — particularly recent, 5-star reviews — directly improve listing conversion rates. In turn, this increases booking confidence for future guests browsing your property.
We will, of course, share meaningful performance data once we have enough evidence to assess the true impact of both initiatives.
A Small Investment for Long-Term Gain
In an increasingly competitive UK holiday market, we must continue to:
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Protect visibility
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Strengthen review profiles
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Enhance guest experience
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Drive occupancy
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Maximise revenue
These initiatives are about working smarter, not simply harder.
The difference between a 9.0 and a 9.4 rating on Booking.com can mean hundreds — sometimes thousands — of pounds across a season.
Working Together
The success of half term shows what can be achieved when pricing, marketing and management align.
By continuing to collaborate, trial improvements, and make strategic decisions together, we place your property in the strongest possible position for:
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Higher occupancy
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Better review positioning
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Increased long-term revenue
We are committed to proactively testing ideas, analysing results, and refining strategy — always with your returns in mind.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. The momentum is building — and we look forward to sharing further positive updates with you soon.