Yesterday we brought you part one of our chat with the lovely Arnaud Bertrand, CEO of HouseTrip. We learnt why everyone is raving about authentic holiday experiences in 2013 and why it’s not just where you holiday but how you holiday that makes the difference in 2013. We’re back today with part two of our chat so get comfortable in your seats and we’ll begin…
HouseTrip.com is filled with gorgeous properties like this. Take us to the booking form please!
1. What are the benefits of booking a holiday online in 2013?
People book their holidays online because it’s easier and less time consuming than going down to the local travel agents. You have a huge choice of options at the click of a mouse and holidays are only going to become more accessible online as more destinations open up. At HouseTrip we aim to make booking a holiday rental online as easy and quick as booking a hotel. Many of our properties are ‘Instant booking’ properties, meaning they can be booked and confirmed in as little as six clicks.
2. Why should our readers book a holiday with you?
We have a huge range of properties to choose from, at very affordable prices, from houses and villas to houseboats and beach huts and in a range of destinations. We’ve even got properties listed in places that most people wouldn’t think you could rent, such as Cuba, The Seychelles and Martinique. HouseTrip is easy-to-use and safe. When a guest books a stay through HouseTrip they are protected, as everything is done through our safe and secure system and all payments are made by credit card for extra security. There is no need for wire transfers or time-consuming negotiations with rental owners. Once a guest has booked, HouseTrip holds the payment until 48 hours after their check-in time to make sure that everything is as the Guest expected before transferring their payment to the Host.
Another gorgeous property from House Trip.
3. What’s your most unusual holiday experience?
Certainly the trip I did in my teens with the charity Raleigh International. Amongst other things, we lived with locals in a village in Nicaragua for a month and helped them dig a 10km trench to bring water to their community – a rather unusual holiday experience!
4. What’s your best holiday memory?
The first time we ever booked into a HouseTrip property that had been listed and paid-for on our site. It was amazing to know that we were not just guests – but also the people behind the tool that allowed us to book the stay.
5. Who is your ultimate holiday companion?
My wife, Junjun (of course). We met while we were hotel students and have been exploring the world together ever since. In fact, we founded HouseTrip together and continue to work side-by-side.
Central London City Break anyone?
6. What’s your worst travel experience so far?
Quite a while ago I remember staying in a very seedy hotel in a small town in China. At one point a guy tried to break into our room while we were asleep. We had to call the police and it created quite a scandal because there weren’t many foreigners visiting that town.
7. What’s the best (and worst) thing you’ve ever eaten on holiday?
Best: a surprising best – grilled snake, I loved it.
Worst: bird’s nest in China which is nothing more than birds’ saliva – positively horrible.
8. What’s the funniest question that you’ve ever been asked by immigration officials
I’ve never had the pleasure of having an immigration official tickle my sense of humour.
And that, my friends, is the end of our chat with Arnaud. If you like what you’ve heard and would love to try out a holiday rental then get yourself over to House Trip, as one of the largest providers of holiday rentals in the world it’s more than equipped to provide you with the perfect holiday accommodation.
