Four at Four: SW specialist shares secrets of success
Exeter-based, self-catering specialist, Luxury Coastal, celebrates its fourth anniversary on 31 March 2023 as one of the fastest-growing holiday providers in the south west, bringing 28,741 guests to the region in 2022, and achieving a year-on-year turnover growth of 28%. The Company remains committed to sharing its success within the local community, putting longevity before profit and is continuing to work towards B Corp accreditation over the next 12 months.
Managing Director, Phil Beattie, explains: “At our core is a commitment to support people, businesses and organisations who make a difference to the place where we live. We want our success to ripple out through investing in local people, charitable causes, and creating partnerships with businesses who are equally attuned to putting the south west first”.
A nimble and independent holiday specialist, the four main tenants of Luxury Coastal’s success are put down to investing in:
Our People – Luxury Coastal employs 17 members of staff who all live in the south west, and it is a Living Wage employer with a flexible working scheme. The Company came fourth at the inaugural Best Places to Work in Travel 2022. Each member of the team is given four days off to volunteer for a local charity; and recently the team rolled up their sleeves to join a beach clear day in South Hams.
Charitable Causes – It’s not enough to simply sponsor a charity and staff are encouraged to take an active role in the Company’s corporate charities. These include days at sea with Till the Coast is Clear, a Community Interest Company clearing the coast of plastic. Boots are laced up in support of the South West Coast Path – the charity responsible for protecting and restoring the west country’s 630-mile national trail. The team recently completed the Cornwall Coast Mighty Hike, raising £1,235 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Staff are regulars at Six Degrees, a women’s networking group in Exeter, and the Company sponsors Surfers Against Sewage.
Service before profit – Service is at the core of what we do, from providing no quibble refunds at the height of the pandemic to rolling out new concierge services in 2023. 96% of guests recommend Luxury Coastal (source: UpFront Reviews). The endorsement from guests and property owners was underlined at the British Travel Awards 2022 when Luxury Coastal achieved Silver Medal for Best Company for UK Holiday Home Rentals.
Business Partnerships – The Luxury Coastal Loves Local initiative provides small businesses across the South West - independent shops, cafes, creators in the local areas – a platform to grow by promoting their presence on Luxury Coastal’s social media platforms. Over the past year, Luxury Coastal has partnered with exceptional and likeminded brands including Red Paddle, Moshulu, Forthglade, Dryrobe, Weird Fish and Sea Arch.
With over 320 properties and a target of taking 10,000 bookings in 2023, Luxury Coastal is carving an ambitious path and remains one to watch over the year ahead.
