As we approach Christmas and the end of the year, it’s hard to believe how quickly 2024 has flown by. Time seems to speed up, doesn’t it? My son often reminds me that as we get older, the years feel faster because each one is a smaller fraction of our life so far. And this year has certainly raced past!
A Year of Growth and Progress
This year has been a remarkable one for bookings. We’ve experienced significant growth, with nearly 1,000 bookings received during 2024—almost double the 525 we had last year. These bookings span across 2024 and 2025, with 152 confirmed bookings already in place for the year ahead.
The calendars for 2026 have now been opened, and we’re optimistic that bookings for 2025 will continue at this strong pace. With organizational changes having taken place at the end of April this year, 2025 has a four-month head start, which we hope will result in an even more fruitful year.
Exciting New Initiatives
WhatsApp Community
Our WhatsApp Owner Community Announcements have taken off wonderfully. The feedback we’ve received from you has been so encouraging. This platform has become a valuable space for updates and discussions, and it’s great to see it so well received.
Blog Posts
Building on the success of our WhatsApp community, we’re putting a strong focus on blogging. Starting in the new year, we’ll be launching a dedicated blog section on the Devon Holidays website, with new posts published weekly. These posts will be SEO-driven to attract more traffic to the site, giving prospective guests a chance to explore your properties.
The blog will cover a range of topics, including features on individual properties, the resort, local attractions, and eateries. If you have ideas or suggestions for blog topics, we’d love to hear them. Together, we can create a dynamic platform that highlights the unique charm of your properties and the surrounding area.
Encouraging Reviews
Reviews are the backbone of success in the holiday rental market, and we’ve had a mix of feedback across platforms this year. While most reviews have been fantastic, especially on TripAdvisor, we want to keep this momentum going.
In 2025, we’ll introduce a new incentive: guests who leave reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, Booking.com, or Airbnb will have a chance to win a £250 gift voucher. If your friends or family have stayed in your property, feel free to encourage them to leave a review. These reviews not only boost our SEO but also create a positive impression for potential guests.
Reliance Retreats
The creation of Reliance Retreats has been another exciting development. Its new website is attracting daily traffic, and the blog posts, tailored specifically for holiday home owners, have been a hit. We’re currently releasing one post per day leading up to the new year, and starting in January, we’ll move to a weekly schedule. Please take a look and share your thoughts—we’d love your input.
Preparing for the Festive Season
Christmas Decorations
Thank you to everyone who has supported our efforts to decorate the properties for the festive season. Shireen and Lucy have done a fantastic job making your lodges look magical, leaving Christmas cards and a small gift for each guest. Their hard work has not gone unnoticed, and we’re confident these touches will enhance the guest experience.
Cooking Equipment
One common piece of feedback from last year was about the lack of adequate equipment for preparing a Christmas feast. To address this, Shireen suggested providing disposable turkey baking trays, which we’ve implemented this year. Thank you for agreeing to fund this small but thoughtful gesture in your lodges.
Hot Water and Heating
Another challenge we’ve faced in previous years is the issue of heating and hot water, with systems often losing pressure during the festive period. To proactively address this, we’ve arranged for Steve to check boiler pressures in all lodges on December 20th and again on December 28th. This should help avoid any guests disruptions, impacting their end of stay reviews, ensuring our guests have a comfortable stay.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we reflect on the successes and challenges of this year, we’re filled with gratitude for your trust and support. It’s been a busy and rewarding year, and with the foundations we’ve laid, 2025 promises to be even better.
The initiatives we’ve introduced—WhatsApp announcements, blogging, and review incentives—are all designed to enhance visibility and engagement, ultimately driving more bookings for your properties. We’re excited about the possibilities these new strategies will bring.
A Seasonal Thank You
Finally, as the festive season approaches, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt thank you. Your partnership and commitment have made this journey possible, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to work with you.
We wish you and your loved ones a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and plenty of festive cheer. Take time to relax, celebrate, and maybe indulge in a mince pie (or two). Just try not to overdo it on the eggnog!
Here’s to a wonderful Christmas and an even better New Year. Thank you for being part of this journey—we can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for us all.
Warmest wishes,
Jason Treeby