6 minute read
MARINE
From ship to shore
VentureSail Holidays is emerging from a two-year pandemic stronger than ever with an increasing fleet and new destinations.
VentureSail already has the biggest charter fleet in the UK, but is now expanding worldwide offering voyages in the Arctic, Scandinavia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Its website currently has over 300 different sailing holidays to choose from and the team has grown to three new members of staff in the last six months alone.
However, it’s not been plain sailing for this dynamic Cornish business, which had only been running for a couple of years before the Covid pandemic, an experience which called on MD Jo Downie’s extensive marketing and managerial experience as well as her passion for travel. “When COVID hit, it was a double whammy for our fleet,” she says. “Not only could they not take guests sailing but as most of our boats are privately owned, they didn’t qualify for any Government help. “So not only had they just spent monies on the undertaking essential maintenance over the winter months, but they also now faced the prospect of having no income for a year with then another winter’s worth of work to cover. These boats constantly fell in the gaps of possible support and it was heart breaking to watch - many of the fleet are heritage vessels, relying on income from guests to keep them afloat – quite literally! “We knew we needed to help, so following numerous discussions with both owners and tourism bodies, once restrictions eased, we agreed we could safely offer day sails with a small number of passengers, creating ‘bubble charters’ so at least a family could holiday together in-line with Covid guidelines.”
Jo continues: “This was a lifeline not only for the boat owners but for VentureSail Holidays too - as a small fairly fledgling business, it was essential for us to maintain good relations with both the boat owners and guests that we had worked so very hard to get. “Our initiatives to save boat travel didn’t end with ‘boat bubbles’ alone, in addition, we offered a two-year Covid credit scheme whereby guests didn’t lose their money for any Covid-related cancellations. This extra assurance provided the confidence needed for those considering booking a much-needed holiday which drove a significant uptake in our bookings. “However, it has meant for us, two years on from the pandemic, that we are still honouring those credits and as a result, we have had less berths to sell in the past 24 months. It will be 2023 before we are back to any sort of normal capacity in terms of berths available.”
On a more positive note, as a small local business, VentureSail Holidays was able to respond quickly to the sudden growing need for a UK holiday once restrictions eased. The small team of two leapt on every enquiry, dealt with cancellations, queries, payments, bookings, schedules and everything in between. Jo explains: “Those boats who had survived the financial uncertainties were now eager to get back on the water and they filled up quickly as the public desire to get out and explore their own country grew. Our success stories and unwavering support soon filtered through the industry and we found ourselves regularly being contacted by boat owners looking for help to fill their boats for the season ahead as well as support in planning their locations and schedules. It was abundantly clear that there was a need to assist skippers and owners, helping them to understand customer demand as well as expectations and competition. “It was a fantastic opportunity to gather new customers as people looked closer to home for adventures and something a little more exciting than a holiday cottage break. In turn, it meant our market grew rapidly and we now have customers returning to us for another sailing holiday that may not have tried this type of activity before. With an expanding fleet and new destinations, what started as a worrying year soon culminated in a busy period with all hands-on deck and I am proud to confirm I have just taken on my fourth member of staff. This is a muchneeded appointment as we now have 29 boats to manage in destinations all over the world!”
The most recent vessel to join this vibrant sailing holiday agency is tall ship Irene of Bridgewater, who spends the majority of her time providing ‘blue therapy’ to one of Cornwall’s leading mental health charities, Sea Sanctuary. For those new to the phrase, ‘blue therapy’ refers to the positive benefits of spending time in blue spaces, such as the sea and lakes. Sea Sanctuary firmly believe the sea has a profound impact on mood which is why time on the water sits at the core of their ethos. Tall ship Irene whisks those in need away from the hustle and bustle of daily lives, providing invigorating sailing adventures to help improve mental health and wellbeing. To support these efforts, Irene spends part of her time offering holidays at sea off the Cornish coast, giving guests the chance to take to the water and explore Cornwall from a whole new perspective. No previous sailing experience is required and Irene offers comfortable private en-suite cabins with a generous saloon and lounge area.
To find out more information, visit www. venturesailholidays.com or call +44 (0)1872 487288. All meals are provided and included in the price and no previous sailing experience is required, although a sense of adventure is recommended! Sailing predominantly from Falmouth and Newlyn, Irene offers Cornish coastal sailing with the occasional venture across to the stunning Isles of Scilly. One of the last of the West Country trading ketches, Irene was built in 1907 and joins the other last remaining ketch Bessie Ellen whose owner and skipper Nikki Alford also co-founded VentureSail Holidays with Jo Downie. Nikki explains: “Being at sea is truly magical, surrounded by water, the fresh sea-air, it is utter escapism allowing us to be at one with nature. We have long-understood the benefits of sailing and so it is wonderful to see the benefits of ‘blue therapy’ promoted for mental health and well-being. As owner and skipper of Bessie Ellen, it is also wonderful to welcome heritage vessel Irene to the VentureSail fleet and help support a true piece of maritime heritage.” Irene is owned by the family who own and run Cardinal Clinic, a leading independent mental health hospital based in Windsor, Berkshire. Dr Morrish who owns Irene and Cardinal Clinic was hugely impressed with the approach of Sea Sanctuary and the benefits of ‘blue therapy’. He has gifted Irene for free to ensure that the programme can benefit as many people as possible. Cardinal Clinic is delighted to provide financial support for the on-going maintenance of Irene, to ensure Sea Sanctuary is able to continue providing the programme. VentureSail Holidays is contributing a percentage of each Irene bookings to Sea Sanctuary, helping to support its invaluable charitable work.
