Hello Everyone
Welcome to our new newsletter, Energise!, featuring articles that we hope you find of interest. Energise! will keep you updated on Neilson with spotlights on our resorts and activities, news on holiday operations and future product developments and also some interesting insights from the team who really make your holiday magic happen. We also hope in future editions that some of you may want to share stories of your experiences with us over the years. Look out for the articles this edition from Angus on Vounaki Beachclub, a particular resort favourite of mine, and Ally, who shares her top tips for those of you brave enough to windsurf in the UK through winter!
As 2020 draws to a close it was certainly not the year any of us were expecting. The pandemic has wrought havoc for most businesses, but travel, tourism, hospitality and the high street have been hit especially hard. I do feel the pain for UK hospitality especially, who as a sector have worked so hard to deliver a safe social experience for us all. At the time of writing my recent October update on the impact of 2020 on Neilson, I feared that we may see further disruption to our holiday operations, which sadly is the case for the Winter ski season. We have cancelled operations until mid-January for now, and continue to monitor the situation in the mountains where most European ski resorts are closed until at least early January. We can and will operate a short winter season if conditions allow.
Looking ahead to Summer 2021 we are confident that we will see a return to operating holidays and have used the time afforded by not operating this year to improve the summer offer for you. We have the widest range of regional flying options now available and a return to far more weekend flying which I know most of us prefer. We are looking at menus to especially revamp our breakfast offer to increase variety, choice and have a greater range of healthy options, whilst still keeping some of the favourites as my children wouldn’t forgive me if pancakes and chocolate spread disappeared! We will be trialling new sports, with the introduction of Padel Tennis and extending the range of land-based fitness options as we look to play to the particular strengths of our various Beachclubs, and will announce details in the new year. Most importantly though, we just can’t wait to be hanging out the “we are open” sign and welcoming you back on holiday with us.
Before then, it looks like we are in for a difficult winter with the possibility of restrictions lasting longer than many of us had thought until the vaccine is rolled out in meaningful numbers, although I am really pleased to see that so many of you have started to book for next year which has coincided with news of the vaccine, so I can only assume this is giving you the confidence to book and have something to look forward to.
Lastly my thanks for so many of you taking the time to vote for us at this years’ British Travel Awards where we were runners-up in the winter category and won gold for the sixth time in seven years in the summer award for ‘Best Activity Sports Holiday Company’. It felt a bit odd to win an award when we haven’t operated since March, but the organisers changed the awards to ‘vote for your favourite’ so we’ll make sure we deliver again for you when you are ready to “relax as hard as you like” with us again soon.
Until then I hope you and your loved ones continue to stay safe and well and have a Merry Christmas.
And of course, wishing us all a much happier and more prosperous 2021.
David
