A leading North East holiday letting agency has recorded record growth, expanding its portfolio of properties and extending its customer base.
Cottages in Northumberland – which lets out coastal, countryside and city properties in the county and across Tyneside – has seen a 13 per cent increase in business in the first six months of this year.
The Newcastle-based company now has 182 cottages, houses and apartments within its portfolio, which it rents out on behalf of owners keen to generate income from their assets.
“We have had a very strong start to the year with us already seeing accommodation receipts 44% ahead of last year and bookings increased by 42%,” said Cottages in Northumberland’s director of operations, Angela Mazingham,
“We have had a great June with bookings 9% ahead of target. All figures so far bode very well in terms of our overall figures for 2016.”
And, in line with its expanding portfolio, the company is attracting holidaymakers from far afield with 6% of overall turnover coming from overseas visitors. 23% have come from the USA, followed by Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Spain Ireland and Switzerland.
The continuing consumer trend for ‘staycation’ holidays has also consolidated Cottages in Northumberland’s UK customer base, with a growing percentage of holidaymakers making return visits to its properties.
Cottages in Northumberland is now planning to embark on a recruitment programme to keep pace with demand.
UKTI International Trade Advisor Jayne Pickersgill said, “This is a great achievement for all at Cottages in Northumberland, as evidenced by the financial returns and with the strategic changes you have made to be successful. I wish you a continued success as you expand the business internationally.”
For further information visit www.cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk, email enquiries@cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk or call 0191 231 3020.