Summer holiday booked? Is water safety on your packing list?

With school summer holidays under way for families across the UK, many of us will be counting down the days until we step on a plane for potentially the first time since pre-covid. However, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is asking families if they are up to date on their water safety knowledge.

The charity fears that we will see more tragedies overseas in the coming months, as we have seen in previous years, as families head abroad to enjoy the sun, sea and swimming pools.

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “Every year during the summer we see a sharp rise in the number of accidental drownings not only in the UK but also with UK citizens abroad.

“Unfortunately we have already this year seen a number of drownings of both adults and children who were enjoying their holiday abroad and we do not want to see any more over the summer period.

“We understand how exciting a summer holiday can be but we want to ensure that families long awaited trips do not turn to the unimaginable for all of the wrong reasons. We are encouraging families to ensure that they take responsibility for their own water safety and enjoy their time on holiday but be safe whilst doing so.”

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s advice is clear, that those preparing for their summer holidays should ensure the following simple tips are understood by all members of the family:

You are your family’s lifeguard – Lifeguard standards differ outside of the UK and Ireland. Always supervise children and keep them within arms’ length.
Do your research – check the safety arrangements of any water-based activities and if there is lifeguard cover at the pool/beach and know what to do and who to call in an emergency.
Do not use inflatables in open water – Inflatable dinghies or lilos are a well-known hazard – each year there are a high number of incidents where people on inflatables are blown out to sea.
Make sure the whole family can swim and knows basic water safety – visit www.rlss.org.uk to take their free, online Lifesaver Lifechanger toolkit.
Check bathing sites for hazards, check the safest places to swim and always read the signs – find out what local warning signs and flags mean.

Lee continued: “We want to help families enjoy water safely with our summer water safety information.

“We truly believe that people can be equipped with the right knowledge around water safety, and as a result we won’t need to see the fatalities we currently are seeing with accidental drownings both in the UK and abroad.”

For further water safety information visit the RLSS UK website – www.rlss.org.uk.

ECHO Trails gets off the ground

Project seeks to showcase east Cowal (Argyll) historic landmarks

The ECHO (East Cowal Heritage Outdoors) Trails project, a network of landmarks and walking trails encompassing the shores of Holy Loch, Loch Eck, Loch Long and Loch Goil, has been officially launched after a two-year delay due to Covid-19.

Representatives from Forestry & Land Scotland, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the AITC (Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative), Dunoon Area Alliance, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Bookpoint Dunoon gathered recently at Historic Kilmun to celebrate the launch.

The ECHO Trails incorporates ten key landmarks around the east Cowal peninsula, including Puck’s Glen, Benmore Botanic Garden and the beach at Ardentinny, as well as a number of places of interest that reflect the rich heritage and notable, historic personalities associated with this small corner of Argyll.

Funding for the project has come from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Bookpoint Dunoon, HES and the Culture and Business Fund Scotland.

Jenni Minto, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute, commented: “Cowal is such a beautiful part of the world, rich in landmarks and history, so anything that can be done to help showcase this should be encouraged and the ECHO trails project does just that!”

Ciorsdan Taylor, AITC Community Engagement Agent for Cowal, commented: “The ECHO Trails are a wonderful way of showcasing the interesting heritage and landmarks we have here in Cowal and there are many of them to see.

“The AITC is very glad to be supporting and promoting this great resource within Cowal and we hope that many visitors to the area and local people will use it for many years to come.”

Dinah McDonald, owner of the Bookpoint bookshop in Dunoon, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this fascinating project which will enable so many more people to explore and appreciate the amazing heritage of this peaceful corner of Argyll.

“Stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and a historical heritage going back over 3000 years, it feels like the heritage of Scotland all in one small area.”

Rob Wilkinson, appointed co-ordinator for the project earlier this year, commented: “The ECHO Trails builds on the great work of Robin Patel carried out before the arrival of the coronavirus and seeks to create an identity for this part of the world in much the same way as the Secret Coast and the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail around Dumbarton and Helensburgh.

“Links have been established with a number of community-focused organisations and individuals and we will soon be appointing a “Friends of the ECHO Trails” committee to determine the future direction of the project. There is so much potential when it comes to building a vibrant community network”.

Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at HES, said: “We’re pleased to support this project as part of our Organisational Support Fund. The ECHO Trail is a fantastic way to encourage visitors to explore the history and heritage of East Cowal.”

Steve Gillen of Forestry & Land Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to see this project finally coming to fruition after so much hard work by the ECHO team over the past few years.

“It is a great opportunity to highlight the number and variety of destinations in the area, and to promote and encourage responsible public access across them.”

The ECHO Trails project will be linking up with the Cowal Open Studios network to showcase the work of local artists on the 24^th and 25^th September at Historic Kilmun to coincide with the COS open studios weekend (23^rd to 26^th September).

For more information please visit www.echotrails.org. A free app “ECHO Trails” is also available for download.

echo-trails-leaflet Download

Celebrate National Travel Agent Day

The benefits of booking with a Travel Agent and the myths dispelled

Today, Friday, 22^nd July, marks National Travel Agent Day. Across the UK and Ireland more than 3,700 travel agents and over 11,000 homeworkers will be celebrating this trusted profession dating back to the early 1800s.

Launched during the pandemic by adventure travel company Intrepid, National Travel Agent Day was conceived as a way of gaining support and recognition for the industry during a turbulent period of trading and restrictions.

Today, with the onset of the cost-of-living crisis and the continuing ‘travel chaos’ headlines, the day continues to mark the great service travel agents deliver to UK consumers as more and more people recognise the many benefits of booking with their local agent.

A recent impact survey* conducted by The Advantage Travel Partnership showed of the 94% of respondents who are seeing an increase in new customers, 30% reported these new customers fall into the 35–44-year-old age bracket, with 33% of new customers aged between 45-54 and 15% over 60.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO, The Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “As the biggest Travel Agency partnership in the UK, today we stand shoulder to shoulder with all the travel agents across the UK who have had to manage their way through an incredibly tough few years.

“While the challenges continue, as an industry we face the future with optimism. Travel and holidays remain on the top of the priority list for many millions of Brits and there continues to be a huge post-pandemic, pent-up demand for travel, even though the market is currently hampered by the significant disruption we’re experiencing.

“Nonetheless, in a world that is becoming increasingly uncertain, booking with a travel agent is still the best way to travel as they offer such extensive support and peace of mind, should the unexpected happen.”

Travel agents have played a key role on the UK’s high streets and local communities for many years, with Thomas Cook widely credited as being the first travel agent, back in 1841.

Today, they continue to provide a valuable service to consumers the world over and is a sector that constantly reinvents itself, with many agents now offering both a shop and online proposition to make it more convenient for consumers.

10 myth-busting reasons to book with a Travel Agent

Travel agents are true professionals who are trained in understanding the broad-ranging world of travel, from train travel to cruising, from package holidays to solo tours – there’s nothing they won’t explore for their clients.
Travel agents can navigate complex booking processes, so you don’t have to – from ensuring international flights connect, to planning detailed itineraries to far-flung destinations.
Travel agents can tailor packages to suit their customers, always planning what is right for each individual.
Travel agents can support customers with changes to bookings when the unexpected happens; they will go above and beyond to provide help in any circumstances – from in-destination travel restrictions to flight disruption.
Travel agents will always find you the best deal for your holiday. With access to many thousands of competitive offers across a wide range of holidays and travel products, travel agents have access to an overview of the entire travel ecosystem.
Travel agents have constantly evolved with the times, with most agents now having both a shop-based and online offering giving consumers the opportunity to book through the most convenient channel.
Booking with a travel agent is not more expensive. Travel agents have access to preferential rates that consumers won’t find online and with 700 branches, Advantage members have access to competitive pricing.
Independent travel agents have access to a wide range of tour operators meaning consumers will get a breadth of choice when it comes to choosing their holiday and can offer unbiased advice.
Travel Agents can provide all the information that you need, from visa information to vaccination advice, from weather in resort to places to visit whilst on holiday.
Travel agents are seeing an influx of new consumers across all age demographics benefiting from the peace of mind that comes with booking through a travel agent.

To find your local agent, supported by The Advantage Travel Partnership, visit: The Advantage Travel Partnership.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines launches Summer Sale

Hand-crafted sailings from Newcastle and Rosyth from £699 per person

Travellers looking to get away in the months ahead can enjoy hand-crafted sailings from the north from just £699 per person, plus up to £200 on-board spending credit, as part of a Summer Sale unveiled by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

The Summer Sale covers cruises from May to September 2022, and offers savings of £150 per person on Norway and British Isles sailings, as well as £200 per person off European short breaks or Arctic and Scandinavian cruises.

In addition, these savings run alongside an on-board spending offer, with up to £200 per person credit available on selected cruises.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “With travel getting easier, we want everyone to be able to enjoy a well-deserved break in the months ahead. The world really is opening up for summer, and we are so excited to be able to share it with our guests again.

“Whether you are looking to venture to the scenic Norwegian fjords in all their summertime splendour, immerse yourself in the history and culture of some fascinating towns and cities in Northern Europe or witness the breath-taking Midnight Sun, you can be sure that each cruise has been hand-crafted to show you the very best of the destination when you visit.”

Some of the highlights of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Summer Sale from Newcastle and Rosyth are:

Balmoral’s nine-night L2215 ‘Arctic Fjords & Midnight Sun’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 6^th June 2022. Prices start from £1,249 per person (was from £1,399 per person). Enjoy £100 per person to spend on board, or £200 per person when booking a suite.

Itinerary: Newcastle, England – Leknes, Norway – Cruising Austnesfjorden, Norway – Cruising Trollfjord, Norway – Tromsø, Norway– Bodø, Norway – Cruising by Black Glacier, Norway – Cruising Nordfjorden, Meloy, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Rørvik, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Hjørundfjord, Norway– Newcastle, England

For more details: Visit L2215 ‘Arctic Fjords & Midnight Sun’

Balmoral’s five-night L2220A ‘Summertime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 19^th July 2022. Prices start from £699 per person (was from £849 per person). Enjoy £50 per person to spend on board, or £100 per person when booking a suite.

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Olden, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord, Norway – Cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – cruising Hjørundfjord, Norway – Rosyth, Scotland

For more details: Visit L2220A ‘Summertime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights’

Balmoral’s 10-night L2224A ‘Discovering Castles, Palaces and Cultural Landmarks of Northern Europe’ cruise, departing from Rosyth on 19^th August 2022. Prices start from £1,699 per person (was from £1,899 per person). Enjoy £150 per person to spend on board, or £300 per person when booking a suite.

Itinerary: Rosyth, Scotland – Fredericia, Denmark – Klaipeda, Lithuania – Gdansk, Poland – Sassnitz, Germany – Szczecin, Poland – Kiel Canal Transit, Germany – Rosyth, Scotland

For more details: Visit L2224A ‘Discovering Castles, Palaces and Cultural Landmarks of Northern Europe’

Nationwide, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Summer Sale features sailings from £399 per person, with up to £250 on-board spend, with regional departures available from Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Belfast, Newcastle and Rosyth.

For more information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Summer Sale, go to

fredolsencruises.com/summer-sale.

Book online, call the friendly Reservations team on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.

Scottish Hostels: Welcome to the places we call home

Independent hostel owners reflect on the trips they took as children which inspired them to become hostel owners

It might be the sociable lifestyle. Or it could be the stunning scenery, excellent facilities and warm welcome, but hostelling is becoming the trip of choice for budget-conscious families and travellers of all ages looking for a unique stay.

Holidaymakers looking to leave a positive lasting impression on young minds are being urged to explore the abundant variety and high quality of Scottish Hostels to inspire the next generation.

Drawn by the friendly way of life and the chance to share the beautiful areas where they live, Scottish Hostels’ independent owners truly embody Visit Scotland’s invitation of “welcome to the places we call home”. And many were inspired after a family trip of their own.

You could say that Pam Richmond, originally from Glasgow, who runs Argyll Backpackers on the banks of Loch Fyne, was born into the role after her parents met while visiting hostels in Scotland during the late 1940s.

She was introduced to hostelling by her parents at the age of 10 and always wanted to run a hostel herself, drawn by a love of travelling, experiencing different cultures, meeting people and hearing their stories.

After a variety of careers, she finally realised her dream by commissioning a purpose-built hostel in 2005, and now she relishes the chance to share the beautiful area where she lives with people from around the world.

She described the journey from the outset to finally opening Argyll Backpackers as quite an adventure in itself and said: “As hostel owners we can all say that we’ve changed our lives, and hopefully for the better.”

Pam added: “The rewards are certainly not great financially, but more than made up for by guests also enjoying ‘my dream’. Most arrive as strangers but leave as friends, often returning with family to spend a few days exploring further in this area.

“This is why I do what I do, and love doing it.”

Modern hostels offer a fantastic chance to experience the best of the Scottish countryside.

Set in stunning scenery and often right on the hiking and biking trails, their hosts are experts on each area and are passionate about helping families to make the most of their stays.

Accommodation is geared towards all sorts of holidaymakers, from solo travellers, couples, families and groups of friends, while visitors might be surprised to discover some hostels can even offer facilities like a traditional sauna, hot tub or large covered barbecue area.

And all of this is on a budget which means the pennies saved can be splurged on family fun, adventures and making memories that last a lifetime.

For Scottish Hostel’s chair Dominique Drewe-Martin, who hails from Surrey, it was also a stay in a hostel at the age of 10 that introduced her to the joys of this type of travel. And as a teen, she decided that one day she would own an outdoor centre or hostel when she was older.

After studying at university in Newcastle, Dominique worked in banking for nine years which gave her the financial know-how to put together a business plan and get the go-ahead on a mortgage for a hostel.

Following more than two years of searching for the perfect property with her partner Daniel, she originally found a place in Skye. Unfortunately it fell through but soon after, Ballater Hostel became available and the couple fell in love with its setting, surrounded by mountains in the Cairngorms National Park.

She said: “I love my current work / life balance – working nine to five I could never help out with groups in the village, go help someone at the drop of a hat, move my work around to fit whatever is going on, take holidays whenever I like or take on so many roles in the village.

“Financially it’s a much simpler life, but when you have amazing countryside on your doorstep, work that you really enjoy – with no annual reviews – plus hobbies and groups that you can properly immerse yourself in and all with so much flexibility it is completely worth it.

“You don’t need that extra paycheck when you have the way of life you love.”

So who knows, taking your children hostelling might change their lives, as it did for these two Scottish Hostels owners who fell in love with the lifestyle and now offer their own warm welcome to travellers.

RLSS UK and partners aim to make UK’s aqua parks among the safest in the world

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is working with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland to ensure the safety of the fast-growing industry as the UK looks forward to another bumper staycation summer.

Aqua parks first launched in the UK in 2015. Today, there are approximately 65 parks in the UK. Suitable for adults and children alike, the floating assault courses offer a variety of obstacles ranging from climbing walls and trampolines to water slides and runways.

The sector has boomed during the pandemic with the launch of new parks and established operators expanding their aqua park offering.

RLSS UK is working closely with The Aqua Parks Association UK & Ireland – formerly the Aqua Parks Steering Group – to promote safety standards in the industry to maintain public confidence in UK aqua parks.

The association has developed a set of minimum industry standards and launched the UK’s first accreditation scheme for aqua parks. The accreditation scheme introduced a recognised and consistent safety standard, making accredited UK aqua parks some of the safest in the world. As appointed auditor for the association, RLSS UK audits parks that have signed up to the accreditation scheme.

Consumers should look out for aqua parks that hold the Industry Approved Aqua Park status; awarded to aqua parks that have met the operational and equipment standards set out within the guidance.

There are two accreditations: ‘Silver’ shows that an aqua park has the correct documents, procedures, staff, and training in place for all the sessions they run, while the ‘Gold’ accreditation indicates that the aqua park not only meets all the operational standards demanded by ‘Silver’ accreditation but also that all its equipment has been third-party tested to meet ISO 25649.

(The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an international standard-setting body composed of representatives from various national standards organisations).

Helen Bowker-Steer, Head of Commercial Services, said: “It is an exciting time for the aqua park industry – the development of the Aqua Park Association UK and Ireland in 2021 is a huge step forward.

“The industry now has a voice. It also has an elected board of individuals with the safety and success of the industry at its core. As the auditing partner for the Aqua Parks Association UK and Ireland, RLSS UK is committed to supporting all aqua parks which sign up for the industry approved process.”

Home swapping: The 2022 travel trend you need to know about

– Why home swapping is the future of holidays –

Even though going on holiday involves a few extra steps thanks to the pandemic, travel is quickly getting back into business – and most Brits can’t wait to start exploring the world again!

Keener than ever to travel as much as possible, the concept of home swapping is becoming hugely popular, as this method of travel offers holidaymakers multiple benefits that a hotel or resort may not be able to provide.

This growing trend has been proved by stats released by award-winning, global home swapping platform Love Home Swap, which has seen a 45% increase in new UK members over the last three months (compared to 2020).

What’s more, compared to 2020, the number of UK members who took a free trial with Love Home Swap between October and December 2021 increased by a fifth (21%).

More recent data reveals that the first ten days of 2022 have already seen UK trialists up by 130% and trips agreed by UK members are up more than 140% compared to the start of 2021.

So, why has home swapping seen such an impressive surge in interest?

It’s a simple way to save lots of money

It really is a cost-effective way to explore the world for both staycations and long-haul travels, as Love Home Swap opens the doors to incredible properties that meet every need. With the average member saving £1,065 on a 7-night stay by choosing to home swap rather than stay in a hotel or holiday rental, 36% of Love Home Swap members can afford to travel four times a year (or more).

Before committing to one of their membership packages, prospective home swappers can sign up for a complimentary two-week trial which gives them full access to the site where they can reach out to other homeowners to start making holiday plans.

Once the trial is complete, they can then take up one of three types of annual membership (starting at £8 a month and billed annually).

Home swappers enjoy more space

Love Home Swap members enjoy all the extra benefits that come with staying in a real home. From additional living space through to outdoor features such as large gardens and private swimming pools, they enjoy more for their money. This makes home swapping a great option for groups and families, plus, unlike hotels, there will be no one passing through the home members are staying in, making it a more Covid-safe option.

Members benefit from authentic holiday experiences

Home swapping gives you inside knowledge of a particular destination that you just don’t get from guidebooks. Most home swap hosts enjoy sharing advice on local restaurants, activities and most importantly, what to avoid, allowing their guests to enjoy an authentic holiday as they immerse themselves in another culture or neighbourhood.

Home swapping is simply the best way to get to know an area and experience what it’s really like to live in another fantastic destination.

Managing Director of Love Home Swap Célia Pronto comments: “Love Home Swap allows people to explore the world through the power of sharing.

“It’s not just homes that are swapped at Love Home Swap, it’s frequently a bit of a life swap too – members may offer the use of their cars, they look after each other’s pets, and some even swap gym memberships!

“Home swapping is the most incredible and cost-effective way for people to travel, and our statistics show that there’s an increased appetite for this desirable way of exploring the world.

“We predict that it will become a more mainstream way of holidaying in the year ahead, and we’re very excited to help our members enjoy unparalleled travel opportunities.”

Survey reveals Edinburgh residents favour reliving holiday memories over their marriage proposal

To find out how sentimental the country is, Ryman decided to find out which moments top the list for which Brits would relive, given the chance. And it turns out, Edinburgh residents are not always as sentimental as the rest of the nation.

The moment Edinburgh dwellers would most like to relive is the birth of their child. 35.29% of respondents said this is the moment they’d most like to experience again – slightly higher than the national average.

Second on the list was in fact their wedding day, with 29.41% of respondents, more than 10% higher than the national average!

Coming in third place is a less sentimental answer – highlighting the love Edinburgh dwellers have for getting away – with 25% voting to relive the holiday of a lifetime.

Despite being more sentimental to some key moments such as the birth of their child, fewer residents of Edinburgh would opt to relive the day they got their pet; less than 9% of respondents agreed this would be the day they’d hurry back given the chance. This compares to almost 15% nationally.

In fact, more people would relive their holiday of a lifetime (25%) over the day they got their beloved pet!

In other shocking news, Edinburgh residents were less interested in reminiscing about the day of their proposal, with only 2.94% of respondents selecting this moment, making this nearly 5% less than the national average – the second lowest score out of all of those quizzed!

See the full table of results below, while the national results can be found here.

What moment(s) or day(s), if any, would you most like to relive?

The birth of my child/children	35.29%
The holiday of a lifetime	25.00%
The time I first met my partner	19.12%
A family holiday from childhood	17.65%
My wedding day	29.41%
The day I got a pet (dog, cat, etc.)	8.82%
The day I found out I was having a baby	11.76%
There is no moment or day that I would like to relive	10.29%
The day I bought my first house	11.76%
Achieving a lifelong ambition or skill (winning an award, graduating, etc.)	11.76%
Eating the best meal I’ve ever had	4.41%
The day I left a job I didn’t like	5.88%
The day I was proposed to/proposed	2.94%
Ticking an activity off my bucket list (skydiving, charity work, etc.)	5.88%
The day my team won a coveted trophy	7.35%
The moment I got my dream job	1.47%
My divorce day	2.94%
Other – please specify	5.88%

More than 70% of eligible Scots have had booster or third dose

TESTING WILL CONTINUE EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY PERIOD

More than seven in 10 eligible adults across Scotland have now had their COVID-19 booster or third dose.

Figures published yesterday show that 72.1% of over 18s who are eligible by 31 December have come forward so far, and more than 70,000 booster or third doses have been given a day over the last two days.

Anyone who has not yet had their booster is still being urged to get ‘boosted by the bells’, as the best way to combat the Omicron variant and protect the NHS.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Today’s figures reflect the enormous national effort which is going on right around the country to accelerate our vaccination programme in response to the Omicron variant.

“I want to thank absolutely everyone who has been involved in the programme, and all the people who have stepped up and come in for their booster.

“There will be vaccination centres open on Christmas Eve, so we want to see as many people as possible getting their booster right up until Christmas. If that isn’t possible for you, centres will be re-opening from Monday 27^th, so please book an appointment today, or look out for drop-ins, so you can join the thousands of people who have been boosted by the bells.

“Getting vaccinated is your civic duty, you not only protect yourself, but your loved ones, those you interact with and the country as whole, so please get your booster as soon as you can.”

Testing will continue through the holiday period

Sites to remain open every day

COVID-19 testing services will remain open in Scotland every day throughout the holiday period.

Test sites will continue to operate, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day, and tests will continue to be processed through the lab network. Test and Protect will also continue to operate every day during the holiday period.

Access to LFD tests will remain available through local pharmacies and test sites (subject to festive opening hours) and LFD and PCR tests can still be ordered online for home delivery over the holiday period.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “I would like to thank all our testing and contact tracing staff for their commitment and dedication at this challenging time which means this vital service can remain open throughout the holiday period as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

“Testing has been at the heart of our response to this pandemic and anyone who has symptoms or is notified as a close contact by Test and Protect should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.

“The emergence of the Omicron variant means it is more vital than ever that we use every tool at our disposal to identify COVID-19 cases quickly and break off chains of transmission.

“We are urging everyone to stay at home as much as possible over the coming weeks and reduce their mixing with other households. People should take an LFD test beforehand if they are visiting friends and family, and before situations where there is a higher risk of catching or passing on the virus.”

Opening hours for testing sites (including local and drive through testing sites):

Date Opening hours

24 December (Christmas Eve) 8am to 6pm

25 December (Christmas Day) 10am to 2pm

26 December (Boxing Day) 10am to 2pm

27 December 8am to 6pm

28 December 8am to 6pm

29 December 8am to 6pm

30 December 8am to 6pm

31 December (New Year’s Eve) 8am to 6pm

1 January (New Year’s Day) 10am to 2pm

Maison Sport reports 200% growth in customer base

Huge boost for UK travel tech business indicates increasing consumer confidence
Business announces plans to target Italian ski tourism market

Ski instructor marketplace, Maison Sport has reported a 200 per cent rise in customers compared to previous seasons, raising confidence that ski tourism is set for a strong recovery despite recent covid developments.

The Edinburgh-based company, founded by three ex-British ski team members which connects its customers directly with the best independent ski and snowboard instructors, has also announced plans to target the Italian market for the first time.

Maison Sport says it is currently averaging £100k a week of new bookings, up from its pre-pandemic level of £30k a week at the same time in 2019. The company has also doubled the number of instructors on its books compared to the 2019/2020 season to 1300 and has reported a 30 per cent rise in customer spending for this time of year, all pointing to growing post-Covid confidence in the recovery of the European ski tourism market.

This latest news follows Maison Sport’s successful fundraise in May where the company secured £1.25million in external investment from both individual investors and a crowdfunding campaign.

Founded in 2016 by former ski champion brothers Nick and Olly Robinson and fellow ex-British Ski Team member Aaron Tipping, the company now boasts the third largest selection of instructors in comparison to any ski school in the world.

Over the past year, Maison Sport grew its team to 20 people and also opened a new, larger head office in Edinburgh. With its innovative platform continuing to grow, overcoming the significant challenges facing the global travel industry, the company plans further expansion into Asia and South America over the course of 2022.

Maison Sport has proven to be a game changer for independent ski and snowboard instructors who can significantly increase their earnings using the platform. The marketplace has surpassed 34,000 hours of lessons taught in 364 ski resorts across Europe.

Founder and CEO, Nick Robinson said: “The significant growth in our customer numbers underline both the success in developing our business model and the rising consumer confidence in the resurgence of the ski tourism market.

“Even though the recent identification of the new Omicron variant may disrupt some travel plans people are obviously keen to get back on the slopes and our instructors are ready and waiting.

“Despite the difficulties posed by Covid-19, this latest development follows a pivotal year for the business where we secured significant investment, grew our base of instructors, and entered new markets.

“This progress continues with our expansion into Italy, where we’re already seeing impressive numbers of customers signing up to our platform. Italian customers, who’ve have typically had to book ski or snowboard lessons last minute, are now benefitting from our platform which allows them to source the best instructors and book them in advance of their ski holiday.”