8 questions to... Simon Altham

Celebrating 80 years of Hoseasons

In honour of 8 decades of Hoseasons, we asked 8 questions to some of our Hoseasons family! Find out more about how Hoseasons is celebrating 80 years of holiday magic, and be sure to keep an eye on our website and social media channels @hoseasons for some exciting deals and competitions.

Introducing Simon, Group Chief Commercial Officer for Hoseasons. Let's get to know Simon a little better...

1. Where is your favourite holiday destination in the UK?

That is a tricky one as there is so much choice out there depending on the time of the year, but I think Cornwall will always be top of my list, as when you drive there and see the sea in the distance, you instantly feel a sense of leaving your busy life behind. An excitement builds knowing that you are there to relax and enjoy incredible scenery, picture postcard villages, quaint harbours, golden sandy beaches and amazing fresh local cuisine. I mean, what more could you ask for?

2. What is the one thing you won’t go on holiday without?

Clothes for all weathers! A UK holiday isn’t about guaranteed sunshine. It’s great when you have it, but preparing for all eventualities ensures that you make the most of it whatever the weather. A walk on the beach can be enjoyed come rain or shine, so long as you have the right clothes!

3. What is your favourite thing about working for Hoseasons?

Getting to see some of the most incredible parts of the UK and meeting owners who are constantly innovating to raise the bar of staycations. I have been in the industry for over 20 years so to see how standards have been raised and working closely with our partners is really rewarding. We’re a people business whether it’s our own team, guests or owners. I love the variety on offer each day.

4. What are your favourite memories of working for Hoseasons?

One of the best memories was our 70th anniversary where we were the headline sponsor at the Royal Norfolk Show, and we had a huge exhibitor stand with a luxury lodge and a Norfolk Broads cruiser. It was a massive centrepiece for the show. Seeing the reaction from visitors to the stand first hand was amazing, especially being able to showcase how far UK holidays have come since Hoseasons began. It made me very proud of what we have to offer!

5. What are you most proud of when you look back over the past 80 years of Hoseasons?

Hoseasons has always been at the forefront of the industry, from Wally Hoseason, seizing the opportunity in 1944 as the war was coming to an end to James Hoseason, his son, being a pioneer of brochures, TV commercials, the internet and third party distribution. We also led the way in terms of mobile adoption which has allowed the brand to flourish and attract new diverse and younger audiences to Hoseasons. Only recently, we reached 100K followers on Tik Tok. Constantly evolving and appealing to broader audiences has been the main reason that 80 years of the brand is still going strong and that whilst many other big brands have become things of the past, Hoseasons is still a much loved household name. That makes me very proud.

6. What has been the biggest challenge for the UK travel industry in the past 80 years?

It would have to be Covid 19. Running a business that encourages people to leave home and explore the great outdoors, suddenly being told that everyone must stay at home, with a level of uncertainty and anxiety in terms of how long this would be for, was a testing time for us and all businesses in travel. And something those who went through it won’t forget in a hurry. Then, coming out of lockdown and suddenly being faced with unprecedented levels of demand for UK holidays was equally challenging. Our teams and website were stretched to the max and the summer of 2020 was definitely a year to remember for all those involved in UK holidays.

7. What do you think the UK travel industry will look like in another 80 years?

The way we shop for travel is changing. It has been changing for years but the pace of change has accelerated and continues to do so. Technology now plays a fundamental role in travel and will continue to evolve at speed. In the past, people booked from words. And didn’t really know what they were getting. Think back to Teletext! They took a risk. Now, guests want certainty and want to know exactly what they are booking. They recognise that time away is precious and want it to be just right, which is why we’re seeing demand for more pictures, video content and reviews. I guess if we took that a step further, you can imagine a world of immersive experiences where you can be virtually transported to your desired destination/accommodation to ensure it meets your exact needs. The possibilities are endless, but evolving technology will continue to be the foundation for future holiday browsing and booking.

8. What does the future hold for Hoseasons?

When I first joined the company in 2005, we printed millions of brochures and the vast majority of accommodation on offer was basic but adequate and met the needs of consumers. We had a handful of lodges with hot tubs and charged £20 more for a caravan with a microwave! Fast forward to today and customer expectations have shifted dramatically. They no longer want what they have at home, they want to be dazzled, they want all the comforts of home and more. Hoseasons success has been anchored in working with our park, lodge and boat owners to encourage innovation and to push the boundaries of the accommodation on offer. We’ve expanded our range to include more quirky styles of accommodation like shepherd huts and glamping pods. I’ve just booked my staycation this year in a treehouse! Hoseasons' future is anchored in ensuring we offer the widest range of accommodation across the UK to suit all tastes and budgets - so long as we continue to do that, customers will return to us year after year as they have been doing for 80 years.

About us

Welcome to Hoseasons, one of the UK’s leading self-catering accommodation specialists, home to over 30,000 places to stay throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

With over 75 years of experience providing holiday homes to millions of customers, you can trust Hoseasons to help you find the perfect accommodation for your next UK break. We’re proud to be rated Excellent on Trustpilot, demonstrating our commitment to providing first-class customer service. We're committed to maintaining a high standard of service to our customers by abiding by ABTA's Code of Conduct.

Book Now with Hoseasons