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Running a ski holiday company – the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth
Wednesday, 01 Oct, 2009
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- Tired of hearing the whimsical and romantic notion that living and working abroad equals the perfect life/work balance bliss?
- Want to laugh in the face of the ideology that upping sticks and jumping the corporate ship to run your dream enterprise abroad is the route to all happiness and riches?
- Fancy, proving that running a ski holiday company will not result in you hooning down the slopes like a pro due to all the time you get to spend on them?
If so, welcome to the TravelMole column for you.
Over the coming months IndependentMountain.com marketing manager Olivia Gascoigne (pictured) will be documenting a real life, warts and all account of the reality of running a ski holiday company as it enters the most important season of its business life.
She will be giving a straight talking and honest account of life at the sharp edge of the ski industry all delivered with a huge dose of humour and hilarity as the company rides the rollercoaster of season 2009/10.
Warning to all readers – if you would instead prefer the bad lady to stop talking and remain in the rose tinted bubble that allows the belief that running such a business means more holiday than work, then please stop reading immediately before aforementioned bubble bursts.
What a Difference a Year Makes
This time last year I was in deepest darkest Africa, having one of the most amazing experiences on safari in the Serengeti….a year on and all I can say is what a difference a year makes.
The last 12 months have landed me in at the deepest end of running a ski holiday company during what some claim as the darkest time for the travel industry.
Having traded in exploring the Serengeti on the hunt for the big five, I am now instead exploring the holiday maker psyche on the hunt for that big group booking, all with the aim of being one step closer towards the comfort of having a successful season.
My partner in crime set up IndependentMountain.com (A website that promotes independent mountain properties to the independent traveller) three years ago.
After lots of hard work and sleepless nights establishing the company, meeting my good self and convincing me to move to France and combining our know how, we have now arrived here at our make or break year.
Without wanting to sound overly dramatic and too much like a Hollywood Blockbuster, this season is our Judgement Day, where our fate is determined and we find out if we can stand up and be counted amongst the incredibly fierce and established competition.
To date it’s been tough, exciting and terrifying…and this is just the beginning. As we now head into season 09/10 we are tirelessly juggling the tasks of keeping our holiday makers and property owners happy, providing an efficient and professional service, alongside building the brand and ensuring we don’t kill each other along the way! In a nutshell, pulling out all the stops to ensure we don’t end up destitute, depressed and divorced.
From this week onwards I will be putting pen and opinions to paper and inviting you to join us as we set off on the most exciting and terrifying year of our professional and personal lives to date.
How will we survive running a holiday company during a recession? Will we catapult the Independent Mountain brand worldwide? Will all our hard work pay off? Will our relationship survive the pressures of working and living together 24/7?
Fancy joining us over the next few months as all answers are revealed?
If so, then hold onto your pants as we’re going to be flying by the seat of them!
*IndependentMountain.com is a ski holiday company promoting over 1,000 independent properties in 30 ski resorts to independent travellers run by James Siegl and Olivia Gascoigne.
Originally the brainchild of James, the company was set up and established three years ago following thousands of endless hours answering guests every need, a century of early mornings, and excruciating jaw lock from smiling through adversity whilst running his own catered chalet company.
Now joined by partner Olivia, who has taken charge of marketing, they are entering their most crucial year as they pull out all the stops to launch the brand to the ski holiday world and pour their blood, sweat and tears into creating a professional, vibrant and knowledgeable service to both holidaymakers and property owners alike.
Phil Davies
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