Bit of advice on setting up something?

pedro123456

http://www.adeptadventuresltd.co.uk/index.html

lost_soul_4

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

I don't know about the UK/Spain, but I have a mobile contract here which has a second (stationary) number which is exclusively on my mobile - ie, there's no redirect, or indeed any physical line, just that dialling the stationary number gets you through to my mobile.

Might it be worth investigating? Certainly much more convenient than a mobile number, although you would have to take the hit on the cost of the call.

As an aside, have you considered some targetted press releases? The fact that you're using the ex-Eldorado set (it was shown here, too!) is of definite interest - and getting some publicity in the national or regional press in the UK should defintely help with convincing people to come on board. You could (if you can get the right contact!) even try and convince the BBC to make a programme about it - it's not that unfeasible, especially as they have a link to the place.

As for marketing to charities - my suggestion would be to avoid 'slick marketing' in the beginning. It would probably be better to look through the press and find names of people connected with charities, then finding out their e-mail addresses and going from there. It's certainly not difficult to find e-mail addresses - usually the internet will tell you, or you can call the charity asking for their e-mail address as you've lost it.

I have the landline set up now.

We were thinking of having an eldorado reunion, but i didnt get far with that which was a shame. We officially open in september and the first weekend was going to be for fans. I approached the unofficial fan club and only had 3 interested (i think there are only 3 fans that go on that forum anymore!). Its a shame really because I am in regular contact with one of the actors from the show who was prepared to be at the event and was also going to see if any of the other cast would be interested.

Regarding emailing, I dont like to send too many emails as I dont want to get into trouble for spamming. I have used an email marketing tool, but I think as soon as spam filters see 'unsubscribe' its trashed.

At the moment I am targetting councils and some charities. I have so far got 2 major councils agreeing in principle to use the place and I have a big charity very interested. I am also in talks regarding sending injured armed forces and their families over, so I am making progress! I have a friend at a tabloid who will do an article on the place, but I didnt think to contact the bbc - thats a good idea.

Thanks for your help and input.

Regards

Darren

lost_soul_4

suweb5 wrote: »

Hi lost_soul
I probably sound a complete 'divvy' and other people have obviously had no trouble but I can't see a link for your website in your first post. Could you repeat it please?
My son is autistic and I've just returned from a totally unsuitable holiday at an UK holiday centre. Your venture sounds great. :T

Sorry to hear about the holiday, what were the problems if I may ask? And what facilities etc would you like to see at a resort? We are looking to improve our site all the time so any input is appreciated.

Thanks

Darren

eckythump

Hi just had a quick look at the website and IMHO you need more details.
Do the bathrooms have zero entry showers? hoists? grab bars?
are vanity units/lightswitches etc at wheelchair level?
how about the pool? zero entry? hoist?
are the rooms powerchair accesable?
it says all meals and drinks are provided,are these buffet style? cook to order? are meal times set or flexible ? is room service available?
what about the medical centre? is dialysis available? what about oxygen?
the devil really is in the detail,will you provide transfers from the airport? do you have to check in at reception or can you get a key straight away and be checked in ,in your own room?
I would much prefer the photos in the gallery to show me the disabled friendly stuff like bathrooms rather that pretty view(which are stunning by the way)
Also what about travel insurance can you organise some sort of discount or tie in with a specialist insurer? being as how you provide some medical care maybe this would reduce the premiums,speaking of which how far away is the nearest E.R dept...this is important to a lot of people.
anyhoo! lots of rambling there for you to consider.....but in principle it looks like a great idea.

[Deleted User]

lost_soul wrote: »

@ Covlass - next to the main restaurant is an additional smaller dining room which will be used if required. We also have trampolines and possibly a bouncy castle (depending on health and safety), both will be installed before we open in september.

@PolishBigSpender - at the moment we are targetting the UK market, to try for more at this early stage would be too much too soon. We have a large council that have just agreed in principle to start using the resort. We are also in talks the the British Legion and will hopefully make an agreement soon.
I agree about the phone number - I am waiting for a second line to be installed. I dont want to use my own landline number yet, but I agree a mobile doesnt look professional. I will be spending alot of time flying to and fro which is why I put the mobile number for now.

We want to target councils and large organisations primarily as they have more money to spend (the council we have been in talks with currently spends up to £1500 per week per child). If I can get some big long term contracts I can inflate the price slightly which would enable me to offer cheaper holidays for families and charities. Any profit I make will be put back into improving the resort. It may sound sentimental, but this is a chance to make a difference to alot of lives - and it was my fathers dream to see this happen.

"BIG"long term contracts will definately want "BIG"long term discounts and not loaded prices,personally it looks like much of this is badly thought out and very amaturist,which is a shame because done right it could succeed.
Do you offer for example atol or abta protection for those booking?

lost_soul_4

eckythump wrote: »

Hi just had a quick look at the website and IMHO you need more details.
Do the bathrooms have zero entry showers? hoists? grab bars?
are vanity units/lightswitches etc at wheelchair level?
how about the pool? zero entry? hoist?
are the rooms powerchair accesable?
it says all meals and drinks are provided,are these buffet style? cook to order? are meal times set or flexible ? is room service available?
what about the medical centre? is dialysis available? what about oxygen?
the devil really is in the detail,will you provide transfers from the airport? do you have to check in at reception or can you get a key straight away and be checked in ,in your own room?
I would much prefer the photos in the gallery to show me the disabled friendly stuff like bathrooms rather that pretty view(which are stunning by the way)
Also what about travel insurance can you organise some sort of discount or tie in with a specialist insurer? being as how you provide some medical care maybe this would reduce the premiums,speaking of which how far away is the nearest E.R dept...this is important to a lot of people.
anyhoo! lots of rambling there for you to consider.....but in principle it looks like a great idea.

Thanks for the reply - this is the sort of feedback I want.

I will get the site updated with more of the details over the next few days but in answer to your questions:
We have zero entry shower/wet rooms and there are grab bars. Some of the villas have hoists.
Lightswitches are at wheelchair level.
The pools are zero entry.
The wheelchair friendly apartments have wider doorways etc, forgive my ignorance but are there other requirements for powerchairs?
The meals are cooked to order but we will have some outdoor bbq's. Food is served all day whenever required. We have limited room service (not the same standard as a hotel, but we have staff that will check on guests and bring drinks and snacks).
The medical centre is next to the resort and has nurses 24 hours and on call doctor lives 1 mile from the centre so if he is needed out of hours his eta is 5 minutes.
Upon arrival at Malaga airport our english staff will be waiting to take you straight to the resort and straight to your apartment/villa. The same staff will be on hand for the duration of your visit and are fully trained care assistants.

I hope this answers most of your questions, I will update the website over the next few days with more specific details and get some more pictures when I am over there next.

Thanks again for the reply.

Darren
P.S. I am looking into travel insurance at the moment to see what deals I can get.

lost_soul_4

woodbine wrote: »

"BIG"long term contracts will definately want "BIG"long term discounts and not loaded prices,personally it looks like much of this is badly thought out and very amaturist,which is a shame because done right it could succeed.
Do you offer for example atol or abta protection for those booking?

It may seem amaturist - thats because I am an amature at this. I have never claimed to be anything other than that - which is why I am here asking for advice and feedback. It may sound stupid but I am not in this to make money, I want to make a difference.

As I said before I know how much the councils I have spoken to pay for the services they currently receive. By pitching at a similar price for a better service I can let them have a big long term discount and still make a profit which can be reinvested or used to subsidise charities. And yes we are abta bonded.

I have had another big council agree in principle to use our resort today so I must be doing something right!

Out of curiousity how is it badly thought out and what should I be doing?

Regards

Darren

Thrifty_Sister

I have just been looking at your website after stumbling on this thread and thought I would give my input - for what its worth!!

As an independent traveller to many countries post and pre wheelie and having encountered various difficulties, I think what you are trying to achieve is fantastic. There are several resorts run on a similar basis but there is a great need for more IMHO so giving more choice to us users. I know of many people who have been able to access a holiday paid for via Social services - its just a matter of educating people that this service is available and knowing how to find the correct information. I will gladly add your site to a small list of holiday companies that provide such a service that we keep for my charities branch - do you by any chance have a brochure you could let me have? We would then be able to keep it on record for any interested people - I am hoping I may be able to visit the resort later in the year and sample it for myself!!

eckythump

lost_soul wrote: »

Thanks for the reply - this is the sort of feedback I want.

The wheelchair friendly villas have wider doorways etc, forgive my ignorance but are there other requirements for powerchairs?

Powerchairs tend to be larger and have a bigger turning circle.

lost_soul_4

Thrifty_Sister wrote: »

I have just been looking at your website after stumbling on this thread and thought I would give my input - for what its worth!!

As an independent traveller to many countries post and pre wheelie and having encountered various difficulties, I think what you are trying to achieve is fantastic. There are several resorts run on a similar basis but there is a great need for more IMHO so giving more choice to us users. I know of many people who have been able to access a holiday paid for via Social services - its just a matter of educating people that this service is available and knowing how to find the correct information. I will gladly add your site to a small list of holiday companies that provide such a service that we keep for my charities branch - do you by any chance have a brochure you could let me have? We would then be able to keep it on record for any interested people - I am hoping I may be able to visit the resort later in the year and sample it for myself!!

Hi Thrifty Sister,

Have another look at the website as I am in the process of making a few changes. Thank you for the encouragement. If you have any advice for people looking for funding from social services please let me know and I may incorporate it into the next site update.
With regards to a brochure, there are flyers and brochures on the contact page of the website or if you send me your details I will get some in the post to you.

Regards

Darren