Contact: Gillian Green/Kate Gutteridge

                        Magellan Public Relations

               Tel:  020 8875 2850 / Fax: 020 8875 2851

          Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

 

 

FACT FILE

       OVERVIEW:                  Headwater is part of the Thomson Travel Group but is run as an independent unit.    Headwater clients benefit from the best activity holiday portfolio available, which includes walking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing and much, much more. The portfolio of the company has been tried and tested, built up over many years to become a quality product at the best rate possible.  They have carved a niche in soft adventure where the holidays are carefully designed to offer a real experience of the places visited. 

       LAUNCHED:                  Headwater was started by husband and wife team, Richard and Christine Bass, back in 1985.  Richard had been an ICI computer manager and Christine had been a social worker.  They reached a time when they wanted to something ‘different’ in life!  The company went from strength to strength and was eventually purchased by Simply Travel in February 1999, a company bought two hours later by the Thomson Travel Group!

       PHILOSOPHY:              Headwater’s philosophy is to create holidays which allow the customer to really ‘get under the skin of their chosen country/region and to introduce them to a wealth of experiences they would otherwise miss.   Headwater gives the consumer the best possible quality holiday ideas at the very best prices.  Headwater operates a ‘Never beaten on price’ Guarantee to ensure their clients receive the best value holidays. 

      AUDIENCE:                   Headwater clients are fiercely loyal to the company.  Typically they are 45-65 years old, ABC1, taking two or three holidays a year. Interestingly there are many younger clients now purchasing Headwater holidays too, 35-45 year professionals who appreciate the quality of the Headwater product. 

    UNIQUE SELLING POINTS/

BENEFITS FOR

CONSUMERS:                     Headwater is unique for these reasons. 

 

1.      Headwater offers the greatest flexibility of any activity operator on the British market. 

 

2.      Headwater has the widest selection of destinations available in one activity holiday brochure.   

 

3.      Headwater’s representatives move their client’s baggage for them as they travel from place to place on their holiday.  Not many other companies offer this level of service.

 

4.      Headwater offers a Wine Service.  Purchase your preferred wines whilst touring and Headwater will make sure they are delivered to your base hotel to bring home with you.

 

5.      Headwater offers the greatest flexibility of travel.  Also, nearly all the transport arrangements they contract are scheduled services; they tend not to use charter services.  All travel options are possible.  Each holiday feels as though it were tailor made for you.

 

6.      Headwater’s products are exclusive on the British market, such as some small, friendly hotels that are really well off the beaten track.

 

7.      Headwater take only small groups on their guided tours and each group has a knowledgeable leader to go with them, someone who lives all season in the area, not just a body flown out for the tour!

 

         KEY PERSONNEL       

Catherine Crone                       Managing Director

                                                Rachel Hulse                            General Manager

Rachel Kirkaldy                        PR & Business Development Manager

           

       ADMIN ADDRESS:                                                      Headwater Holidays

                                                146, London Road

                                                                                                Northwich

                                                Cheshire

                                                CW9 5HH                                          

       ADMIN CONTACT

DETAILS:                              General Enquiries Tel:              01606 813333

French Department Tel:            01606 813399

Iberian Department Tel:            01606 813393

Rest of Europe Tel:                   01606 813 395

Fax:                                          01606 813334

Email:                                       [email protected]

Website:                                   www.headwater-holidays.co.uk