Wikipedia
Hoseasons is a holiday company specialising in UK self-catering holiday properties, and has been in operation for over 60 years. Originally a family-owned company, it was acquired by Wyndham Vacation Rentals UK, part of Wyndham Worldwide, in 2010. Hoseasons has over 22,000 places to stay across a portfolio of lodges, parks, country cottages and villas throughout the UK and Europe. Known for its traditional family holiday parks and other locations, the company also offers boating holidays on the water.
Early History
Hoseasons was founded by Walter B Hoseasons (a name of Norse origin, meaning ‘son of the sea’) in 1944. An Oulton Broad harbourmaster, he owned a small boatyard and sold holidays on the Southern Broads. Such was his success, he went on to sell on-the-water holidays for his neighbours too and Hoseasons was born. The following year he issued his first brochure advertising self-catering holidays on motor cruisers, houseboats and in waterside bungalows. In the 1950s Walter was succeeded by his son, Jimmy 1, who gave up a career in civil engineering to take over the family business. By the time he retired in 1996, he had been with the firm for 50 years and received an OBE for services to tourism. Hoseasons was the first self-catering firm to advertise on TV in 1957, in the London area. The company widened its exposure and took advantage of the national TV network in 1972. In 1969 the company was incorporated and the name changed from W.B. Hoseasons to Hoseasons Holidays.
Computerisation and going online
Hoseasons introduced telephone booking in the 1960s and the pioneering ‘dial-a-brochure’ request service in 1975. 1976 saw them bring in a computerised system, and a complete online booking service was introduced in 1996. A fully interactive website was launched in 2001.
Modern Day
With a growing portfolio, it’s now possible to stay in a Hoseasons property in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium – as well as the UK. The brand offers a choice of holidays including villas with pools and city breaks available exclusively online. In 2010, Hoseasons was acquired by Wyndham Vacation Rentals UK, part of Wyndham Worldwide. More recently, the company has developed a number of specialist collections within its portfolio. Included in this range are Autograph Lodge Holidays and Starboard – Hoseasons First Class Fleet.