Expansion with Retention
- Aug 25
- 5 min read
Words by Jamie Crocker
Maintaining a local identity underpins this Porthleven-based holiday letting company.
As with any company, growth is, in most instances, part of the process of continued existence. There is usually a price to pay, though, as core values are exchanged for profit and connection to community becomes compromised. This is not the case with Mounts Bay Holidays – here’s why.
When Mounts Bay Holidays began life as Porthleven Holiday Cottages in 2007, what specific gap in the local holiday market did the founders believe needed filling, and how has that original purpose evolved over the past nineteen years?
The holiday letting landscape looked very different then. Most owners either advertised privately or were represented by large agencies that often lacked local knowledge and personal service. Our idea was simple: create a company that genuinely understood Porthleven, knew every property inside out and offered guests a much more personal experience.
Nineteen years later, that original purpose remains unchanged. We still believe that local knowledge matters, that owners deserve a relationship with real people rather than a call centre, and that guests value honest recommendations and personal service. What has evolved, though, is our reach. We can now represent properties across the whole of Mount’s Bay, but our commitment to being a local, independent business remains the same.
The company describes itself as independent and deeply local. Can you give three examples of decisions you have made in recent years that would likely have been made differently by a large national holiday-let agency?
Firstly, we’ve deliberately limited our growth. We only take on properties that we believe fit our portfolio and that we can properly support. A larger agency might prioritise volume; we prioritise quality.
Secondly, we invest heavily in local content and destination marketing. Rather than simply selling accommodation, we spend time showcasing the villages, beaches, walks and businesses that make this corner of Cornwall special.
Thirdly, we’re able to make decisions quickly and personally. If an owner needs support, a guest has a special request or a property needs tailored marketing, we don’t have layers of approval to work through. We know our owners, our guests and our properties personally, which makes a huge difference.
Why was 2026 the right moment to change the name from Porthleven Holiday Cottages to Mounts Bay Holidays, and were there any concerns about stepping away from a brand that had built recognition over nearly two decades?
The business has grown significantly over the past few years. While Porthleven remains at the heart of what we do, we are now expanding to represent beautiful properties across Mount’s Bay. The new name reflects who we have already become. We wanted a brand that better represented both our geographical reach and our ambitions for the future.
Of course, there was some nervousness about moving away from a name that people knew and trusted. Nearly twenty years of reputation is something you don’t tinker with lightly. Ultimately, though, we felt that the trust we have built comes from our service, relationships and local expertise rather than the name itself. Mounts Bay Holidays gives us room to grow while staying true to our roots.
Mount’s Bay covers a diverse stretch of coastline. What qualities are you looking for when deciding whether a property or location belongs within the Mounts Bay Holidays portfolio?
The location is important, but so is the experience a property offers. We look for homes that help guests connect with the area, whether that’s a harbourside cottage in Porthleven, a sea-view apartment overlooking Mount’s Bay or a family home within walking distance of the beach. We also look for owners who care about their properties and the guest experience. The most successful holiday homes aren’t necessarily the largest or most luxurious; they’re the ones where thought and care have gone into every detail. Many guests see only the finished holiday experience.
What happens behind the scenes, from booking to departure, that most people would be surprised to learn about?
Before guests arrive, properties are professionally cleaned, inspected and prepared. Maintenance issues are resolved, welcome information is updated, and arrival details are checked.
Throughout the year we’re constantly reviewing pricing, monitoring bookings, updating listings, creating marketing campaigns and responding to guest enquiries. On top of that, there are the unexpected challenges that every holiday business faces, from storm damage and plumbing emergencies to last-minute travel disruptions. The aim is that guests never notice any of this. If we’ve done our job properly, their holiday feels effortless.
Property owners have a growing number of management companies to choose from. What feedback do you hear most often from owners who move their properties to Mounts Bay Holidays from another agency?
The most common comment we hear is that they finally feel looked after. Many owners tell us they felt like just another number with their previous agency. They struggled to speak to the same person twice or felt disconnected from decisions being made about their property.
Owners often appreciate that we’re accessible, transparent and proactive. They know who they’re speaking to, they receive honest advice, and they feel involved in the process. That’s something we’re very proud of. Our owners know that we are here, we know their property, and we are able to offer first-hand knowledge to potential guests.
Cornwall continues to wrestle with questions surrounding housing availability, second homes and tourism. How does Mounts Bay Holidays view its role within that wider debate, and what responsibility does the business feel it has towards the communities in which it operates?
It’s an important conversation, and one that doesn’t have simple answers. Tourism is a major part of Cornwall’s economy and supports thousands of local jobs and businesses, but it’s equally important that communities remain vibrant places to live and work year-round. As a local business, we understand both sides of that discussion. We encourage guests to support local businesses, explore responsibly and engage with the communities they visit. We also work closely with property owners to help them operate successful holiday homes in a way that contributes positively to the local economy. Ultimately, we believe tourism works best when it benefits both visitors and the communities that welcome them.
Your website highlights care, community and sustainable tourism. Can you point to measurable actions or outcomes that demonstrate those values in practice?
One of the most visible examples is our commitment to promoting local businesses. Every year we direct thousands of guests towards local restaurants, cafés, shops, attractions and activity providers through our recommendations, guides and communications. We’ve also invested heavily in creating detailed destination content that encourages guests to explore beyond the obvious hotspots, helping spread visitor spending throughout the area
On the operational side, we’re increasingly encouraging longer stays, reducing unnecessary printed materials and supporting owners who wish to introduce more sustainable practices within their properties.
Looking ahead five years, what would success look like for Mounts Bay Holidays? Are there particular places, services or partnerships you hope to develop across Mount’s Bay?
We want to become the most trusted holiday letting company in Mount’s Bay for both owners and guests. That means strengthening our relationships with local businesses, expanding our destination content and continuing to raise the standard of service we provide. We’d also love to develop more partnerships that help guests experience the area in a deeper and more meaningful way.
Every holiday business promises personal service, local knowledge and memorable stays. What evidence would you offer to a sceptical guest or property owner that Mounts Bay Holidays genuinely delivers something distinctive and does not simply rely on familiar industry language?
We’d encourage them to speak to us, read our reviews and meet the team. Every member of our team lives locally and spends time in the places we recommend. We visit the properties we represent, know the owners personally and deal directly with guests from booking through to departure.
Many of our owners have been with us for years, and a significant proportion of our bookings come from returning guests who choose to holiday with us time and time again. For us, personal service matters. It’s the way we’ve always worked, and it’s the reason owners and guests have trusted us for nearly twenty years.
