I was delighted to visit the HotelshopUK offices in Droitwich Spa this week. The company employs nearly 50 people and sells domestic and overseas holidays and hotel stays. It also operates the greatlittlebreaks brand which focuses on 2-3 star accomodation and short breaks throughout the UK for leisure and corporate travellers. The business seems to be going from strength to strength under the inspiring and far sighted leadership of founder and Managing Director, Viv Hudson-Findlay. HotelshopUK is a great example of a sucessful local business making the best of the opportunities of the web. Given my current role as Industry Head for Travel at Google I am, of course, particularly interested in Viv's business, but it is also a great example of of a local digitial entrepreneurship.
Anyone who thinks all the dot.com's and internet businesses are all based in the London and South East needs to think again. Digital businesses are pivotal to employment and econmic growth in our region and such businesses are thriving locally.
To illustrate their growth, the company is currently hiring (see here) and for more information you can check out their website or one of the many interesting Videos available on YouTube.
For more information on the company you can visit their website and also some fascinating videos on YouTube here.