Warm wishes for the holiday season: A few words from our CEO

Our achievements over the past 12 months provide an impetus for reflection and an opportunity to look ahead at the year to come. Believing our society has a responsibility to be a force for good, we reaffirm our commitment to building a sustainable and caring environment for our members and guests. I’m also grateful for our passionate HF Holidays team who are dedicated to designing and operating holidays that are all about friendship, fun, fresh air, and the feelgood factor. 

As many of you will know, the HF Holidays story started in 1913 when Thomas Arthur Leonard sought to improve the lives of working people by offering walking holidays as an alternative to the annual trend of spending a week at the seaside. Now 11 decades later, this milestone is a time to recognise where we’ve come from as well as how we’ve changed. Our anniversary celebrations were very well received, and it was truly heartening to see our country houses full over our birthday weekend in November. 

Another highlight has been our ongoing renovations at Longmynd House in Church Stretton. The first phase is complete and includes external design touches that give a nod to the building’s Edwardian past. We’re currently working on Phase 2 and Phase 3 plans, both of which will provide modern updates while ensuring the house and its heritage characteristics are protected.  

I’m also thrilled that HF Holidays has been endorsed as Which? Recommended Provider for Escorted Tours for the fifth year running. To be recognised yet again by the consumer champions is a real testament to our hardworking team. Additionally, we have been acknowledged by ABTOT as one of only 11 members who have shown unwavering commitment to this esteemed travel organisation for over 25 years. It is a privilege to be such a valued member and for them to recognise this and award our loyalty, industry standing, and expertise over the years. 

As I look back on our performance in 2023, I’m proud that we’ve redesigned some of our holidays to reduce their carbon impact. This is most evident on our tread lightly walking holidays. We’ve also introduced rail adventures – a mode of transport accounting for far lower CO2 emissions per passenger mile than that generated by air travel. I’m equally excited about our Europe and worldwide holidays, many of which have sold out so quickly that we’ve had to add more dates. 

For now, it just remains for me and the HF Holidays Team to send you our warmest wishes for the holiday season and the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming you on another fabulous holiday in 2024. 

David Harrington 

CEO of HF Holidays