Never Mind the Weather, Tourists Prize Friendly Scottish Welcome

EAST LOTHIAN, SCOTLAND, February 07, 2013 (Press-News.org) Travellers taking a holiday in Scotland prize our famous friendly Scottish welcome above anything else, according to research.

A survey carried out by bookings website Private House Stays (www.privatehousestays.com) revealed an overwhelming 85% of people planning to visit Scotland consider a warm reception key to their overall holiday experience.

Travellers also want their hosts to offer local knowledge, and to feel they are discovering Scotland away from the tourist traps.

By contrast, unfriendly or unhelpful service was revealed to be the biggest holiday downer, far moreso than dreich weather.

Private House Stays, which exclusively offers booking at owner occupied accommodation in Scotland, said the 'authentic local experience' is of high importance to discerning travellers.

The company, which has been working with VisitScotland as a booking provider since the end of last year, carried out the research with the aim of gaining even greater understanding of holidaymakers' priorities.

The survey, 'Tell us about your Ideal Scottish Holiday', asked more than two hundred respondents to select factors which were important to their experience.

The most popular choice at 85% was 'friendly Scottish welcome with local hosts', while joint second with 81% was 'stunning scenery and walks' and 'a feeling of getting away from the tourist traps.'

The same survey revealed a vast majority of holidaymakers (98%) valued B&B owners who have local knowledge to share, while only 12% said they care if their host has formal hospitality training.

When looking at a choice of factors which could ruin a holiday, more than 78% selected 'unfriendly or unhelpful service.'

The warm reception it seems more than makes up for Scotland's notorious bad weather - which only 24% said would disappoint them on holiday.

The survey drew 148 responses from an international database of people who regularly or plan to holiday in Scotland.

Comments from respondents included extensive praise for friendly hosts who can recommend the best ways to enjoy the area.

One respondent said "I love getting to know my Scottish hosts and feeling like I've discovered the local secrets" while another said they value "Not being part of the herd."

Private House Stays offers online booking for more than 200 cherry picked B&Bs, guest houses and boutique hotels.

The company was founded in 2007 by Archie and Cassie Bouverie, who ran 9B Scotland Street in Edinburgh as a B&B for more than 12 years.

Cassie Bouverie said: "Scotland is world renowned for its hospitality, and we know from our many years' experience that when people choose to holiday in Scotland - whether they have come from China, South America or Newcastle - they love a friendly reception and the chance to enjoy an authentic, local experience.

"Scotland has so much to enjoy, from the rich heritage and culture to breathtaking scenery, we know all that. But a frosty reception will make the holiday more of a washout than pouring rain, and even make or break whether that tourist bothers to come back.

"That's why we set up Private House Stays - to champion the small, privately owned outlets which don't have huge marketing budgets or grand websites, but offer that unique 'home from home' holidaymakers in Scotland value.

"We decided to carry out this survey to gain even more in-depth understanding of traveller's priorities. In fact, the results have only re-affirmed our ethos of prioritising the personal touch. It's a wonderful boost for all the hard-working, consistently welcoming small Bed & Breakfast owners who are such a key factor of the country's vital tourism sector."

For further information visit http://www.privatehousestays.com
Contact Person: Sarah Urquhart
Phone: 01875 853884 or 07966 893353
Email: enquiries@sarahurquhartpr.co.uk
cassie@privatehousestays.com