Local holiday cottage lettings company Island Escapes has been acquired by UK-based Sapphire Holidays Ltd.
Island Escapes was set up in 2018 by John Keggin and later merged with Jamie Stott of Island Cottage Care in 2022.
The company has grown over the past seven years from managing a handful of cottages to be the island’s leading self catering holiday cottage provider with over 150 properties in its portfolio.
Acquired
Sapphire Holidays Ltd is best known for its brands Classic Cottages, Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats and Unique Hideaways.
The company started life under the Classic Cottages brand in 1977 by the same family that owns the business today.
With a head office in Cornwall and with over 2500 properties managed across the group, Sapphire Holidays is a widely respected holiday letting specialist.
Sapphire Holidays
Last year, the Group became B Corp certified, meeting the rigorous social and environmental standards set by B Lab.
While these values have been at the heart of the business since its inception, the B Corp certification provides formal recognition of their commitment to people and planet.
Island Escapes’ brand identity and strength are recognised and will now join the Sapphire Holidays family of brands.
In the coming months, the Island Escapes properties will also be marketed through Classic Cottages.
New Chapter
Sapphire Holidays plans to significantly invest in the island and in marketing their properties to new visitors, aligning with the government’s strategy to increase visitor numbers to 500,000 by 2032.
John will remain with the company as Commercial Director, he said: “This is the start of an exciting new chapter for Island Escapes.
“Whilst the ownership changes, the company will still remain very much a local business, committed to supporting the community as we always have done, but with added investment, particularly in marketing that can only help raise the profile of our island as a destination to visit.”
John Keggin.
Simon Tregoning, Chairman of Sapphire Holidays Ltd, said: “Island Escapes’ ethos aligns closely with our own.
“Our company was founded on professionalism and excellent service and we know that John and his team share those values.
“The Isle of Man is a unique place to visit, and we are looking forward to helping Island Escapes reach more customers, enabling them to discover this lovely island.”
Homestay
Island Escapes will continue to operate from its Castletown base, and all staff will stay with the company.
Homestay IOM Ltd, which manages the additional accommodation requirement for the Isle of Man TT Races and Manx Grand Prix on behalf of the Isle of Man Department for Enterprise will also transfer to the new parent company, but with a locally based team.
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