TOURISM NEWS

With another bumper year predicted for the staycation industry, Unique Homestays is continuing its search for the UK’s most inspiring homes.

The Cornwall-based luxury rental agency has launched a series of short films and portraits celebrating its owners, as it invites owners of the UK’s most sought-after homes to join its exclusive collection.

Fresh off the back of its most successful year, which also saw the luxury home rental agency mark 20 years in the industry, the brand is looking to build on the 90% occupancy secured in 2021.

Unique Homestays secured over £100k in gross revenue for 35% of its properties in 2021, with five homes achieving upwards of £300k.

Head of brand, Francesca Reed, commented: “Unique Homestays hosts are amongst the most creative and inspiring homeowners across the globe and we hope that by sharing their stories, we will not only share the passion that goes into making a stay unique for guests, but also attract likeminded property owners to join a movement of homestay pioneers.”

UNIQUE PROPOSITION

WORLD CLASS CONCIERGE

An employee at a leading Cornish hotel was recognised for her “world class” work by scooping a prestigious award at the recent Hotel Cateys’ Awards.

Sarah Gaskin, who works at The Headland in Newquay, won ‘Concierge of the Year’ at the event, which was hosted at the Park Plaza in London.

Veryan Palmer, a director at The Headland, said: “Sarah joined The Headland ten years ago as a new recruit into hospitality following her career in the police service. She has developed into a world class Concierge, looking after our guests, our team of staff and also many people in the Newquay community.” Meanwhile, The Headland celebrated its staff’s dedication and achievements for 2021 with a special awards ceremony.

Kai Sinkevicius won the Front of House award, while other gongs went to Nandor Szentey (Heart of House), James Stevens (Newcomer of the Year), Kayti Sargent (Assistant Manager), while Team of the Year was jointly awarded to Housekeeping and Reservations.

Manager/Head of Department of the Year was awarded to Jamie Edwards.

MALCOLM BELL MBE

Visit Cornwall chief executive Malcolm Bell was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to tourism, particularly during the pandemic.

Bell has been chief executive at Visit Cornwall for over a decade, and before that led the South West Tourism Board.

During the Covid-19 Pandemic, Visit Cornwall was instrumental in establishing a regional group bringing together business leaders from across the south west, which met weekly to share intelligence and concerns with VisitEngland and Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport representatives over the lockdown and in the run-up to reopening.

Bell also played a key role in securing the Carbis Bay Hotel site for the G7 Summit and worked with the Cabinet Office G7 Taskforce to source accommodation for the delegations attending the event.

Visit Cornwall has also developed a legacy plan for the event to ensure it achieves its full potential for growing international tourism to the area and delivering long-term economic and social benefits.

GREEN LIGHTFOR THIRD PHASE

Retallack Resort & Spa has been granted planning permission for the third phase of its development project. The scheme consists of 67 luxury boutique barns, which will be available from £295k.

Head of Visit Cornwall, Malcolm Bell, said the ‘Hillside’ development is “exactly the type of holiday properties we need more of here in Cornwall”. “It is vitally important that we have high quality developments rather than volume low quality ones and Hillside will be of a high standard,” he said.

Comprising 23 four-beds, 17 threebeds and 27 two-beds, the first of the Hillside’s boutique barns are due to be completed in the spring.