Category: The Holiday Ferret update

America Embraces the Holiday Ferret

July 11th, 2011 · · Press releases, The Holiday Ferret update, Travel News, Vacation and Rental Property News No comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Prior to last month the Holiday Ferret only had two U.S properties listed on site. Like British bands, British based holiday rental websites find it hard to crack America. The competition is fierce and many Americans like to stay in their homeland for a vacation.  Subsequently, the Holiday Ferret like other holiday rental websites, have struggled slightly to attract the American vacation owners.

This month however, has seen the Holiday Ferret’s American properties increase to four. This does not seem like a significant figure, but the Holiday Ferret can now boast properties in Maine, Florida, Hawaii, and New York. According to James Curl director of the Holiday Ferret, it’s a significant development for the company.

“Though it doesn’t seem like a huge amount of people, it does show we are moving forward. Given the level of competition and the fact we have only been up and running since April, I feel myself and my team have done an excellent job.”

Since its launch the Holiday Ferret which advertises holiday and vacation rentals by owner has seen over 90 accounts created and visitor numbers rise to around 1400 per month.

“The SEO is slowly coming together. We are seeing ourselves on page one of Google for various searches all the time. We think this is why we have caught the eye of vacation rental owners.”

James Curl went on to say that the Holiday Ferret’s news pages are extremely popular, with many U.S based stories being featured on the site. They are also read by a large cross section of the public and travel industry professionals and entrepreneurs.  Recently, the site was accepted on Bing news, though the news stories will not start appearing on the search engine’s news search until the end of the year.

The Holiday rentals market is dominated by HomwAway.com, though other holiday and vacation rental site are beginning to appear prominently in search results.  This is believed to be due to the farmer update, which promotes original content over copied.  This is yet to be officially comfirmed.

“We knew it would not be easy,” continued James Curl.  ”We are moving forward though and that is vitally important for us and our clients.”

Phuket Island Holiday Rentals See Plenty of Visitors on the Holiday Ferret

June 8th, 2011 · · Press releases, The Holiday Ferret update, Travel News 2 comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Holiday Ferret have announced that of all the vacation by owner rentals listed, the Phuket Island ones are receiving the most page views per visitor. The site which was launched last month has seen a good number of rental owners signing up to the site, which features holiday and vacation rental properties from all over the world.

Thailand tourists seem to be using the site to book vacation rentals in the country, which many in the travel industry believe are beginning to eclipse hotel bookings for large groups and families due to cost savings.

Phuket Island which is situated off Thailand’s south west coast has always been a popular tourist destination in the country thanks to its natural beauty and exotic ways. Its increase in holiday home rental by owner accommodation has opened up the island to families and large groups of people, who can now afford to stay on Phuket.

James Curl, director of the Holiday Ferret was astonished that Thai cookery classes were so popular. “Apparently, you can learn to cook Thai cuisine. I struggle with toast, but if I was there with noodles in front of me and to the left of me, I’d be tempted to pick up a spatula.” He also added, “It would appear that Phuket is a number one choice for the traveller or tourist that wants to visit Thailand. The water sport activities are particularly good. Other activities and attractions like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and elephant trekking are also catching the eye.”

Other destinations which are faring well on the Holiday Ferret are those in England, France, and Spain, with Florida in the U.S also seeing plenty of page views. Udon Thani runs a close second to Phuket as the most viewed location on The Holiday Ferret, but Thailand’s south westerly Island is holding its own in the battle for most viewed.

Many visitors to the island have commented warmly on the standard of accommodation available on Phuket, especially those that stayed in a vacation home rental. The traveller that opts for self catering holiday homes normally needs to control diet and the environment for the rest of the group. Families tend to love them.

The Holiday Ferret is hoping to feature more properties from North America in the coming months, especially those in Florida. It is also hoping that the visitor numbers and holiday and vacation rental owners continue to flock to the Holiday Ferret.

“We aim to please”, said James Curl.

Holiday Homes on Phuket Island, Thailand, Prove Popular on the Holiday Ferret

June 5th, 2011 · · Press releases, The Holiday Ferret update, Travel News 2 comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Since its launch in April, Thailand properties have proved very popular among visitors to the Holiday Ferret. Phuket in particular has seen plenty of activity, with many vacation penthouses being hired, together with other forms of self catering holiday home. Many who have visited the island have commented that they are attracted to its natural beauty and tourist attractions.

The Holiday Ferret has seen plenty of activity since its launch and so far the team believe that it is a success. Other destinations are also seeing plenty of visitors too, including other destinations in Thailand such as Udon Thani. Phuket however, is so far seeing more visits per head than any of its rivals.

“It would appear that Phuket is a number one choice for the traveller or tourist that wants to visit Thailand. The water sport activities are particularly good,” said the Holiday Ferret director James Curl. “Other activities and attractions like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project and elephant trekking are also catching the eye.”

Phuket’s attractions are not limited to animals and water however, as temple viewing and learning to cook Thailand’s famous cuisine are also proving to be popular among visitors to Phuket Island.

“Apparently, you can learn to cook Thai cuisine”, said James Curl. “I struggle with toast, but if I was there with noodles in front of me and to the left of me, I’d be tempted to pick up a spatula.” And many do.

Travellers to Phuket Island that have rented a vacation by owner have not reported disappointment to the Holiday Ferret or any of its holiday home owners. Phuket Island has an abundance of activities and attractions for families and adults alike, and the average rental by owner cost is significantly less than the equivalent hotel cost on Phuket.

Many visitors have also commented on the friendliness of local people as well as the thrill of seeing a coral reef and the more adventuress participating in cliff diving.

France, England and Spain holiday homes have also seen plenty of visitors, and so far complaints have been minimal and compliments have been lavished in abundance. “We aim to please”, said James Curl. “My team is doing everything possible for both the traveller and the vacation rental owner.”

The Holiday Ferret hopes to showcase more self catering holiday homes in the future including vacation rentals in America and Canada, as well as many more in Phuket, Thailand.

 

The Holiday Ferret Relaunches on the 4th April 2011

March 26th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update No comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Well it has taken a year but we are finally up and running with a new revamped site and additional management and staff. Following the hack in July 2010, the Holiday Ferret has undergone a transformation both in terms of appearance and in how it operates in the vacation and holiday rental marketplace.

This new and brighter Holiday Ferret has also stayed true to its roots by not charging commission on bookings, something that we at the Ferret feel strongly about. The one off annual charge is a all that we charge rental owners to advertise with The Holiday Ferret, and discounts are available for rental property managers.

Other features which have been incorporated into the Ferret, are a free 3 months for the first property listed on site by the owner. This provides an opportunity for the owner to assess whether they feel The Holiday Ferret is right for their site.  Once again the rules apply, no commission is charged on any bookings taken in these three months. It is  a win – win situation for the owner.

The SEO and social media promotion of The Holiday Ferret have also begun to take shape. Several keywords see page 1 listing for The Holiday Ferret, and social media followings on Facebook, Twitter, and Digg continue to grow.  The SEO and social media push is continuous.  Soon, it will be possible for owner rentals to buy ad space on advertising networks such as Adwords and Facebook via The Holiday Ferret, driving more potential guests to their site.

All properties on the site will be featured on Facebook.

To list your owner rental property on the Holiday Ferret, please click here.

 

 

6 Essential Items of Hand Luggage for Long Haul Flying

March 25th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update, Travel Tips/Advice No comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Hand luggage is essential for flying especially long haul flights. To that end choosing the right items in your hand luggage not only prepares you for any unforeseen eventualities but it also gives you something to do while spending six hours plus on an aeroplane. 

Good Book – Nothing like a good book to pass the time when trekking from one part of the world to another. The less organised of us will no doubt be reading travel guides on our destination. The more organised of us will be reading something fairly light and easy to consume.

Puzzles, sudoku, etc etc – A good book of crossword puzzles, sudoku or word searches can be invaluable on long haul flights. They can be used anywhere providing you have not forgotten a pen or pencil

Deck of Cards – A sociable way to pass the time is through playing cards. The great aspect of playing cards is that the range of games that can be played is regulated by your tiredness

Underwear - A change of underwear can be invaluable. Airlines can and do go bust and when they do it normally happens without much warning. Flights are delayed due to weather conditions and other reasons such as terrorism.  A change of underwear could be invaluable if you have to spend the night at an airport.

Travel Pillow – Again, should the above happen a pillow to rest your head will be much welcomed, especially if the rest of you is laying on a concrete floor.

Smartphones – Though you have to put them on flight mode when the aircraft takes off and lands they are a nice addition to have to hand. It is especially nice with a good range of travelling apps which not only tell you how to get to your holiday or vacation villa, but how hot it is when you get to your chosen destination.

Hand luggage when planned properly can get you out of a tight spot or at the very least make the waiting that bit more bearable.

For more travel tips and holiday rental guides, the Holiday Ferret can help.

Reasons to Buy a Holiday or Vacation Rental

March 25th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update, Vacation and Rental Property News No comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Though they represent a significant and costly investment, there are several strong reasons to invest in a second holiday and vacation home. If you are unsure whether to purchase a vacation or holiday lodge, then these reasons may persuade you to do so. 

1 in 5.
In 2009 1 in 5 travellers stayed in a holiday rental. This represents 20% of the market. As a result, the holiday and vacation rental market is worth around $90 billion dollars a year. Many travellers, especially families and large groups, have worked out that there are two savings to be made from renting a self catering holiday home and lodge, and they are it saves a fortune on hotel costs and, it saves a fortune on food. Throw in genuine privacy and a safe place for children to play in, and you have the perfect environment for the family holiday.

$20,000 per year
As an average, holiday and vacation apartment owners made $20,000 per year. This is a significant sum by many peoples’ standards, and providing you do things the right way, there is no reason why you should not make a similar amount.

Recession
Traditionally, in uncertain economic times people cut back, or cut out the annual holiday and vacation label it an unnecessary luxury. As we have seen, the holiday and vacation rental apartment, makes holidays and vacations affordable. It is a sad irony that in uncertain economic times where a holiday is much needed from the additional stresses that uncertain economic time bring, that for many they feel it is impossible. Hopefully, as the word has spread about holiday and vacation rental affordability, this will no longer be the case.

Not Just For Travellers
Holiday and vacation homes are not just for travellers, but for you and your family as well. In fact, in our guide we recommend that you spend a few nights in your holiday and vacation villa just to get a feel for it and to better determine how to improve it for your guests. A few weeks of the year for you and your family to enjoy your new home is recommended for a variety of reasons.

With the boom in holiday and vacation rental accommodation, now is a good time to buy. Obviously, there are factors to consider, and you should thoroughly research the cost implications of buying a holiday and vacation home, from maintenance, to location, what end of the market you are looking to attract, to how much you can charge to rent it. All of this comes into play and should be investigated thoroughly to give you a good indicator as to how much profit you can make.  Good choices in this regard, and the the benefits both financial and variational will become apparent.

Beware of Frauds When Booking Your Holiday or Vacation Rental

March 25th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update, Travel News, Vacation and Rental Property News 2 comments - Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The holiday and vacation rental business is a big one. Annually, the business is worth $100 billion and big money attracts its fair share of frauds. Though the holiday and vacation rental property  side of travel and tourism has been largely fraud free, there was a case last year whereby a traveller was defrauded out of around £6000 ($9000) for renting a holiday villa on holidayrentals.com that simply did not exist. They were scammed by unscrupulous people and as a result the family’s vacation was cut short. 

It is important therefore, to protect yourself before parting with cash.  If you are planning to rent a vacation lodge, holiday apartment, or a self catering lodge, then run through the following checklist to ensure you are not booking a big lump of air.

Utility bill - Ask to see a utility bill for the property or another proof of ownership. This is not a 100% guarantee that the property exists but it is a still a good precaution. Though many fraudsters will have a fake utility bill or could create one fairly easily, many more will not have expected it and this may expose a fraudulent property for what it is.

Time on the rental site – Once a property has been found to be fraudulent, then a scam is effectively over and the perpetrators have to cut and run. Properties that have been on the site for over a year are a safe bet the properties are genuine.

Use credit cards – Credit cards normally have some kind of insurance against frauds, and it is a good idea to use one to conduct transactions. Check your  card’s terms and conditions to clarify what you are covered for.

Check the web – Using a few search terms connected with the property will reveal anything suspicious and confirm there is nothing to be suspicious about.

Insurance – In wake of the fraud last year insurance companies have developed a product range designed to protect you, should you fall victim to fraud. If you are paying thousands for your holiday and vacation then paying a little extra for insurance is highly recommended.

Google Earth – A little drastic as you can never be sure when the picture was taken and it may not be an area that is reliably covered by Google, but if you see a picture of a field rather than a 5 bedroom villa, then you may well want to investigate further.

Report frauds – If you feel a property is not genuine then you should report it straight away to the holiday and vacation rental site that advertises the property. They will take necessary steps to discover if the property is genuine. Many vacation and holiday site’s terms and conditions state clearly that frauds will be removed from the site.

It is important that you take all necessary steps to protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud. If you suspect a property as fraud on our site, please contact us immediately.

The Holiday Ferret lists accommodation directly from vacation and holiday rental owner, saving up to 40% on accommodation prices.

The Holiday Ferret – The Final Design?

January 30th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update One comment - Tags: , , , , ,

The new design is on the drawing board and represents a departure from previous designs following criticism of our previous efforts.

The new design has a holiday feel about it and has addressed the issues of the site having a strong masculine feel.

Many of the back office modules are now complete, and we have now reached the stage where the design will dictate how the completed and future modules can be implemented.

Though we are yet to establish a firm launch date the feeling in the Ferret camp is that it will be sooner rather than later.

The Holiday Ferret is a vacation and holiday rentals website which showcases owner villas, apartments, cottages, and self-catering accommodation to travellers throughout the world.

New Modules Complete for The Holiday Ferret Redesign

January 14th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update One comment - Tags: , , , , , , ,

Our holiday and vacation rental website took a step nearer completion with the development of personal details and photo editing modules. These two modules come on the back of the polaroid and calender modules the latter being particularly pleasing to have developed.

The site is moving forward rapidly with around four modules left before the aesthetics of the site are developed. This will be the last stage prior to launch.

We feel it is a good time to mention that to celebrate the launch of the new Holiday Ferret vacation and holiday rental site, we are planning to give away some travel related prizes in our competition. We plan to run competitions whenever we can once the site is launched so look out for us on social networking sites.

The Holiday Ferret, is a vacation and holiday rentals website.

The Holiday Ferret Conquerors Design Hurdle

January 7th, 2011 · · The Holiday Ferret update One comment - Tags: , , , , , , ,

It has been a long road to get to this point, but the design hurdle that had dogged two previous designs has finally been conquered: The Calender.

Making a holiday calender that can be updated, stored in a database and subsequently displayed is not as easy as it sounds, and I’m pleased to say we’ve finally cracked it.

With the calender under our belts most of the site is complete.  Graphic and user interface design tweaking, rigourous testing, and decisions on what other modules to include are to be decided.

Payment methods are another area of debate in the Holiday Ferret camp as well.

The Holiday Ferret advertises holiday rentals on a world wide scale

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