October/November 2021

PEOPLE
RIGHT Polly Lovegrove, who is part of Michael’s team,
meeting Countryfile’s Adam Henson filming for
Channel 5’s ‘Our Family Farm Rescue’ where a Quality
Unearthed geodesic dome was featured.
BELOW River Hideaway shepherds hut in
Pembrokeshire
“WE WANT GUESTS TO FEEL THE FULL EXPERIENCE AND
PASSION OF THE STRUCTURE ON ARRIVAL, AND THE MORE
WE CAN DO TO UNBURDEN EACH OWNER OF THE MORE
ARDUOUS PROCESSES, THE MORE ENERGY AND ZEST THEY
CAN PUT INTO OPTIMISING THIS”
marketplace it is hard to become recognised
when you are starting out, even with the
recent massive increase in demand, so
effective marketing is critical. Marketing is
often mistakenly understood to be simple
and non-skilled, but the reality today is
quite different. There are many marketing
sources and digital skills that need to be
expertly understood to ensure that you
effectively channel demand to your website
or telephone. We are very good at both
acquiring new customers and building repeat
business.
Guest liaison also plays a large and timeconsuming
role – answering questions,
queries, booking enquiries for dates and
answering individual and non-standard
requests, taking payments, sending arrival
details and directions, discounting for lastminute
bookings, sending refunds or security
deposit returns – and is often not properly
considered.
We want guests to feel the full experience
and passion of the structure on arrival, and
the more we can do to unburden each owner
of the more arduous processes, the more
energy and zest they can put into optimising
this. An example of the little things we do to
make it easier for guests is a text message
which provides directions and check-in
details for where they are staying on the day
of arrival, which helps them and the owner.
This converts to positive experiences and
excellent customer review scores which help
our owners even more.
A TIME FOR WELLBEING
Connecting guests to hosts and places set
within nature and the outdoors lends itself
well to each traveller’s mental health and
wellbeing, often allowing for a full or partial
digital detox. Being immersed in a brand
that makes the most of outdoor spaces
and their relationship with mental health
and wellbeing means we encourage and
understand the importance of ‘switching
off’ too. The wellbeing of staff is key to our
business.
No matter how busy I am I make sure I
have a daily lunch break and time away from
my screen and encourage my team to do
the same. It's counterproductive otherwise
and I often have my best ideas while tucking
into my sandwiches. Life is busy and we are
currently in a particularly manic bubble of
productivity for our industry, such is the
nature of the return to travel post-lockdown.
Ultimately I'm very much a person who
likes to be out and about meeting people so
this is a great job for me. I particularly enjoy
getting involved at the start of glamping
projects, where the fields or spaces are
empty and the dreams and ideas are flowing
out. Getting to go back after the work has
been done to see what was achieved, what
wondrous structures have been made and
what the final offering has become, gives me
a real sense of achievement.
I feel really proud, especially when I’m
able to help our customers achieve their
objectives. I'm lucky enough to meet
hundreds of people every year who have
similar goals but unique objectives in mind.
The fact that my team and I are able to assist
them in making their ideas become a reality
is something that keeps me energised and
feeds my soul! Furthermore, the fact that
we then get to participate in these journeys
and share them with the wider world truly is
a gift.
And so, on to the next magical, unusual,
quirky space...
PROFILE
Michael Owen is the property acquisitions
manager at Quality Unearthed. Overseeing
the entire acquisition process, he advises
new and existing owners who want to
bring unique structures to the glamping
marketplace under the Quality Unearthed
brand.
Michael has over 15 years’ experience in the
sales industry, and specialised in business,
leisure and tourism. A keen family man and
runner, Michael enjoys spending time with
his wife and daughter around his hometown
in Pembrokeshire and taking in all that is
good about the outdoors.
QUALITY UNEARTHED
Quality Unearthed was founded in 2011
as a sister brand to the long-standing
Quality Cottages and set about bringing
glamping to the mainstream market,
showcasing the outdoors and natural
environments, whilst also providing the
comfort and luxury aspects of traditional
hospitality stays. Becoming one of the
largest glamping-specific agencies in the
UK, Quality Unearthed became part of the
Awaze Vacation Rentals family in 2021 and
continues to bring exceptional, quirky and
quality glamping experiences to thousands
of guests. www.qualityunearthed.co.uk
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