Wednesday 10th October 2007, 21:12Holidays for our CustomersHolidays
Over the last few months I (like many of you) have had the chance to relax and enjoy your family during a holiday. Perhaps you took off on your own to pursue a sport or interest; friends of mine took holidays this year to pursue interests in beer, food, books, art, motor bikes, camping and an opportunity to help others.
I enjoyed a wonderful holiday with my family where we spent time together in a new environment and saw new things, walked in new places and returned home rejuvenated by the experience.
I have spent time in our centres and listening to our customers and asking them about holidays. For many of our customers a holiday was something that they recall from their past, perhaps when they were in work, perhaps with parents, perhaps even before a family break up.
I felt sad that my life was better for the change and enjoyment from exploring new places.
But the more I listened to our customers the more I realised that those in London want to spend time in the north, perhaps Scotland, or visiting relatives in the midlands, those in Manchester think the ideal place for a break would be – London or the South West, customers from all over the country wish to visit Liverpool during the capital of culture year in 2008.
I started to think about the value of our customers swapping houses and enabling each to take a break. Ok they would not be plush 5 star hotels but the individuals would get the chance for a no cost accommodation swap of a family home. A change is as good as a rest. And we could play a part in making this happen.
Could we operate a free of charge brokerage for our customers to swap homes for holidays and short breaks? Maybe our IT system could showcase homes for swaps, and customers could select and swap.
I know there would be howls from the legal beagles, yes there would have to be checks and disclaimers and it could be a disaster. But imagine the joy it would bring to a family or individual to have the chance to explore a new environment and I can’t think of many better ways to Improve Peoples Lives than to facilitate this opportunity through our resources and networks.
Who knows with cheap flights maybe this could become an international exchange with our customers in the UK swapping with our France, Germany, South Africa, Israel and Poland.
What do you think?
Thanks
Roy
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