HF Holidays News Release – 5 Feb 2021

HF HOLIDAYS SEES ENCOURAGING UPTURN IN 2021 UK BOOKINGS

Leading walking holidays tour operator HF Holidays has experienced a surge in UK bookings and website activity over the last few weeks, indicating a positive increase in guest confidence in booking for the UK on the back of the vaccines. 

Web bookings over the month of January grew week by week, with a significant peak during the last week of January 2021.  The most popular departure months for the UK start as early as April and May, and include the summer of July and August, which has already resulted in limited availability, and bookings continue through to September and October.

The growing demand for UK walking holidays and staycations for 2021 has been very evident, with the most popular being their Trails & Island-Hopping holidays, which has seen a 50% increase in bookings, with HF Holidays adding seven new destinations to for 2021.  Also popular is their Guided Walking and Self Guided walking. 

HF Holidays operate 17 UK country properties, all perfectly located for walking and tailor-made for outdoor pursuits, with Boot and Drying Rooms, as well as Discovery Points with mapped routes, guidebooks and local walks directions for independent walkers to use.  Recent activity has shown the most popular locations have been, St Ives, Cornwall – which has experienced overwhelming demand and will be even more popular with this year's G7 Summit in June, as well as their other locations in Malham, Whitby, Church Stretton and Derwentbank.

Europe sales for 2021 have also seen reassuring movement with booking activity from July onwards; showing there is definite customer demand and confidence in travel. This is encouraging for HF Holidays which launches a brand-new short break to Sweden for 2021 with departures from September, as well as their ever-popular 2021/22 Winter Sun programme and all Europe destinations which are available for book 2022 now!

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE WITH HF HOLIDAYS

As an award-winning Tour Operator with over 100 years' experience, HF Holidays understand the importance of trust and assurance for guests when making any booking or travel arrangement.  Guests can book with confidence with the knowledge that their money is protected, as all HF Holidays' trips without flights are protected by ABTOT, and by ATOL for holidays with flights.

HF Holidays ensure guests have peace of mind when booking a holiday and have introduced these additional measures:

• Guests can transfer or defer a UK holiday for FREE, up to 14 days before departure
• If HF Holidays cancel a holiday, guests can transfer for free or request a refund
• Bookings are fully protected: all our holidays benefit from ATOL or ABTOT bonding
• All UK houses received 'We're Good to Go' certification from Visit England & Visit Scotland
• HF Holidays only work with partners who are 'Covid-compliant'
• Will only travel to FCDO 'Covid-safe' destinations

This assurance, as well as their Best Price Guarantee and 24/7 support and emergency contact service, is why members and guests continue to feel safe and secure when travelling with HF Holidays. This is ever evident in accolades such as the FEEFO Platinum award, which was retained for a second year in 2021 and the WHICH recommended provider award, of which HF Holidays has been recognised for the last 3 years.

For HF Holidays full Book in Confidence policy visit: hfholidays/bookinconfidence

NEW FOR 2021 – GOTALEDEN GUIDED TRAIL, SWEDEN

An exciting long weekend of discovery in West Sweden. Discover Gothenburg;  join the Gotaleden Trail and enjoy the best stretches of this long-distance path. Take in the silence of the Säveån nature reserve and uncover the industrial heritage of Jonsered. Visit sustainable restaurants, microbrewery and experience the contrast of the vibrant city with the wilderness right next door.

4-night trip from £1,219 per person including flights from London, accommodation in hand-picked quality hotels, 4 breakfasts, 4 evening meals and 2 lunches, guided walking for 3 days, services of HF Holidays Leaders and all transport to and from walks. First departure is  02 Sep 2021. 

EUROPE AND WINTERSUN OFFERS

SAVE UP TO £100pp* OFF 7 NIGHT HOLIDAYS IN EUROPE WINTERSUN 2021/ 2022 Available on selected holidays and departures.

*Terms and Conditions apply. Offers are only available on selected dates and are subject to availability. Offers end 28 February 2021. Prices based on two people sharing a 'Good' room. All prices correct at time of going to press (01 February 2021). Book with Confidence; amend your holiday for free up to 14 days prior to departure excluding overseas holidays and non-UK house-based trails. Non-member fee of £20pp will apply. For full terms and conditions visit our website hfholidays.co.uk/terms

For latest offers and details on all holidays visit: https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/

• ENDS -

Notes to Editor:

Contact: Hannah Garcia, PR & Partnerships, hannahgarcia@hfholidays.co.uk

• All prices correct at time of going to press
• Founded in 1913, HF Holidays is the largest UK travel Co-operative Society.
• HF Holidays has 17 country houses in the UK's National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as independent hotels for overseas holidays. 
• Sociability is at the heart of every HF Holiday.
• Most HF walking holidays are led by a team of volunteer leaders
• HF holidays are ideal for solo travellers, couples or small groups.
• Families have an exclusive programme of holidays available, during the school holidays.
• Larger groups (8 or more people) such as groups of friends, large family groups, members of clubs /societies can enjoy special savings.
• Guests do not need to be a member of the HF Holidays Co-operative in order to join their holidays; all are welcome.
• HF Holidays are suitable for all fit and active adults including solo travellers, couples or small groups. There are also some dedicated UK holidays for families with children. Guests travel as part of larger group, making them a great way to meet and socialise with new people. Larger groups (8 or more people) such as groups of friends, large family groups, members of clubs /societies can enjoy special savings
• The HF Holidays Pathways Fund provides assisted holidays to those who could not otherwise afford one. In addition, since 1998, the fund has helped to protect and improve the countryside where HF Holidays' guests walk. This is achieved through generous donations from HF Holidays' members and guests.
• HF Holidays has a host of accolades under its belt including: British Travel Awards Silver Small Best Special Interest Holiday Company 2020, Which? Recommended Provider for Escorted Tours 2020, Silver Travel Awards Best Activity Tour Operator 2020, AWTE Company of the Year 2019, Feefo Platinum Service Award in 2019, Staycation Award for Family Friendly Venue 2019, Telegraph Travel Awards Runner Up 2019, Which? Recommended Provider status for 2012 - 2019; voted Best Large Tour Operator by Guardian and Observer readers 2010-2014; and Best Large Short Break Operator 2011-2014.
• HF Holidays is committed to responsible tourism and is a member of ABTOT and ATOL protected. 
• Follow @hfholidays on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram