Global Excellence 2019

Acquisition International - Global Excellence 2019 81 Acquisition International - Issue 2 19 Jan19636 Sykes Holiday Cottages offers their customers a vast range of holiday homes to rent across both the UK and Ireland. Recently, the company found success in AI’s Global Excellence Awards 2019 where they were awarded the accolade Best Independent Holiday Cottages Letting Agency 2019 – UK. On the back of this win, we profiled Sykes to discover more about the exceptional services they deliver to their customers. tarting life on Clive Sykes’ kitchen table in 1991, Sykes Holiday Cottages is now the UK’s leading independent holiday cottage provider, managing more than 13,500 holiday properties across the UK and Ireland – from cosy cottages for two to larger properties that sleep 20 or more. Under the leadership of CEO Graham Donoghue, Sykes has become a fast-growing technology-driven firm that is setting the pace for innovation within the booming UK travel sector. In addition to this, the company plays a key role in promoting Britain as a destination of choice for UK and overseas travellers, whilst highlighting the benefits of holiday home ownership as an investment and income opportunity. Sykes is one of the only cottage holiday agencies to provide their customers with 24/7 telephone support. This enables their guests to book with the company with confidence. As a result of this service- centric approach, Sykes has achieved an industry-leading net promoter score (NPS) and re-book rates. With more than 13,500 properties across the UK and Ireland, the team at Sykes works tirelessly to ensure that they maintain a strong bond with the owners, valuing the relationships which they have built over the years. By having such close connections, Sykes has Creating Lasting Holiday Memories “Sykes has invested into its technology platform to improve customer experience and to give themselves an edge over competition within the industry.” Company: Sykes Holiday Cottages Address: One City Place, Queens Road, Chester, Cheshire, United Kingdom, CH1 3BQ Telephone: 01244617687 Website: www.sykescottages.co.uk S high owner retention rates and are seeing more people than ever approach them to market their properties. As for the technology that the firm employs to deliver their exceptional service, Sykes has invested into its technology platform to improve customer experience and to give themselves an edge over competition within the industry. The innovative platform includes market-leading tools in bid and revenue management, delivering live pricing based on up-to-the-minute supply and demand, and My Sykes, which is a customer-focused app providing guests with thousands of recommendations on attractions, restaurants and pubs, direct from Sykes owners. Committed to making the company a great place to work, Sykes has heavily invested in its staff and workplace. Sykes’ people and culture are what set it apart from its competitors, which is why the company places such importance on staff development and engagement – and in instilling its values across the entire organisation. As such, these values include communicating honestly, earning trust, growing and learning, innovation and change, and achieving together. Moving forward, Sykes Holiday Cottages’ mission is to become the best in its sector by using relentless innovation to deliver the best choice of quality holiday homes, with unrivalled service to customers and homeowner partners alike.