Built upon trust

Words by Jamie Crocker

It is something that cannot be bought, but is earned through consistency and time.

John Bray Cornish Holidays has been a trusted name in North Cornwall for over five decades, offering a truly local and personalised service that’s hard to match. With offices in both Rock and Port Isaac, their team lives and breathes the area, and therefore they are a willing component of the community. We take a closer look to find out how they achieve this.  

What makes your company stand out from other holiday letting agencies in the area?

Essentially, it’s our ability to combine a hands-on, bespoke approach with the backing of our national parent company, Sykes Holiday Cottages. This gives our owners access to powerful industry tools and a £37million annual marketing budget, while still benefiting from the care and attention of a dedicated local team. It’s a rare blend of national reach and local expertise.

We manage over 250 of the region’s most desirable holiday homes, from Padstow to Polzeath, and pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service to both owners and guests. Our owners enjoy peace of mind knowing their property is professionally cared for around the clock, while also achieving strong year-round bookings, even in a challenging economic climate. 

How do you support owners in maximising their rental income while maintaining their property’s quality and character?

Our approach is all about helping owners unlock the full potential of their holiday home, without compromising on its individuality.

We offer tailored advice based on real-time booking data and guest feedback, helping owners make smart, low-impact upgrades that boost appeal – like adding WiFi, enhancing outdoor spaces, or offering flexible short breaks. These small changes can significantly increase bookings and revenue, while still preserving the unique character of each property.

Pet-friendly properties are especially popular; according to the latest Sykes Staycation Index, 28% of all UK bookings made with Sykes Cottages for 2025 included pet guests. 

Across our portfolio, 63% of our properties are now pet friendly; many of these owners have successfully transitioned to being pet-friendly under the guidance of our team, with a few small but worthwhile changes. In fact properties that welcome dogs earn on average 8% more bookings and 16% more revenue annually than those who don’t accept pets. 

Our team also works closely with owners to ensure their homes are well-maintained and presented to a high standard. Whether it’s recommending sustainable interior design choices or advising on family-friendly features, we help them strike the right balance between comfort and functionality.

What marketing channels and strategies do you use to promote holiday cottages and reach potential guests?

Our carefully targeted multi-channel approach guarantees maximum exposure. The numbers speak for themselves; In 2025 bookings per property were up a fantastic 1.6% year on year. Early summer, the peak July and August weeks, and the autumn were all strong; Summer saw on average 86.9% occupancy per property, whilst the revenue per property for autumn bookings was up 15% year on year!

So how do we achieve this success? We use a wide network of over 700 affiliate partners, including major platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Our properties are listed on both the John Bray Cornish Holidays website and the Sykes Cottages platform, giving them dual visibility in search results. 

We also dominate Google search results and leverage targeted email campaigns, social media promotion, and partnerships with trusted travel brands. These efforts help attract the right guests to the right properties.

In 2025, 65% of our bookings were from repeat visitors. Last year we introduced our loyalty scheme called ‘Bloom’, which now has over 160,000 members. Those who download and utilise the Sykes app enjoy exclusive Bloom member perks, which are proven to drive our customer retention. 

How do you handle pricing and occupancy management throughout the year to ensure consistent bookings?

We take a proactive and data-driven approach to pricing and occupancy management, helping owners achieve strong, steady bookings across all seasons. Our dedicated pricing specialists monitor local market trends and booking patterns daily, allowing us to adjust rates dynamically in response to demand.

Using intelligent pricing software, with the permission of our owners, we can fine-tune rental values in real time. This flexibility ensures that properties remain attractive to guests while maximising income for owners. In 2025, owners that took our advice and made use of our dynamic pricing tools saw 7 more bookings and 26% more revenue on average, compared to owners that did not. 

We also encourage owners to embrace short breaks and last-minute bookings, which have become increasingly popular. According to the recent Staycation Index, 24% of Brits much prefer multiple short trips over fewer longer holidays. What’s more, two short breaks in one week can generate up to 148% of the usual weekly rental value.

What level of involvement can owners expect in day-to-day management decisions?

Some prefer to be hands-on, while others want a completely stress-free experience. That’s why we offer flexible property management options tailored to each owner’s needs and the location of their property.

For those who want full support, we can take care of everything: from guest communications and emergency on-call assistance, to organising maintenance, linen hire, and troubleshooting. Our trusted network of local contractors ensures that any issues are resolved quickly and professionally.

For owners who prefer to be involved, we provide access to a user-friendly online portal where they can monitor bookings, view guest feedback, and manage finances at their convenience. We also keep owners informed about performance trends and offer expert advice to help them make informed decisions about pricing, upgrades, and guest experience.

How do you ensure a high standard of guest experience that reflects positively on owners and properties?

Delivering an exceptional guest experience is at the heart of everything we do at John Bray Cornish Holidays. We know that happy guests lead to glowing reviews, repeat bookings and a strong reputation for both the property and its owner.

Our team works closely with owners to ensure each cottage is well-equipped, beautifully presented and maintained to the highest standards. From recommending durable furnishings and quality linens to advising on thoughtful touches like coat hooks, clear appliance instructions and well-stocked kitchens, we help owners create homes that exceed guest expectations.

We also encourage owners to add welcoming gestures, such as a small hamper, fresh flowers, or local treats, which can make a lasting impact. For owners who prefer a hands-off approach, we’re happy to arrange these extras on their behalf.

Cleanliness is non-negotiable. We support regular deep cleans in addition to standard changeovers, and we ensure outdoor areas are tidy and inviting, because first impressions count. Our local operations team is on hand to respond quickly to any issues, ensuring guests feel cared for throughout their stay. 

What do you believe owners value most about working with your company and how do you continue to deliver on that promise?

Owners choose John Bray Cornish Holidays because we offer more than just a letting service. We provide expert guidance and a genuine partnership. What they value most is our ability to combine deep local knowledge with the scale and resources of a national brand, giving them the best of both worlds.

We strive to keep owners informed of all the latest industry changes, and ahead of the curve wherever possible. In recent months, several well-known booking platforms have been increasing their commission fees — meaning many owners could see a drop in income. In contrast, we continue to offer a stable, competitive commission rate, with a wealth of added value extras that make holiday letting easy. 

Owner Success Manager Phil Pascoe says “Our owners appreciate the flexibility and support we offer. Each of our owners has a dedicated account manager in the local office, who is their point of contact for all property queries from day one. This, in addition to our user-friendly online portal and regular performance updates, means they always feel informed and in control.”

If you are a North Cornwall holiday homeowner and would like to learn more about holiday letting with John Bray Cornish Holidays, contact the dedicated New Property team today. 

johnbraycornishholidays.co.uk