Helston-based self catering holiday specialist, Classic Cottages, is predicting its strongest year yet.

“We are comfortably ahead of last year which is a pleasant surprise as 2015 was a great year for us,” commented chairman, Simon Tregoning.

“We are almost full for this May half term. Looking ahead, we have not yet been able to quite match last year’s bumper July, but every week from August until the end of October is up on last year.”

Classic looks after just shy of 900 properties for owners across the south west and keeps a close eye on changes and trends in the industry.

Tregoning added: “We employ over 40 people here at Classic and our properties provide employment and income for many more local people, from cleaners to maintenance teams, property managers, plumbers and electricians, so it’s important that we operate a successful business.”

As well as direct employment, the 70,000 visitors per year provide considerable tourism spend across the south west.

“Local restaurateurs and shop owners often ask me how the season is looking which brings it home to me how important our visitors are to the wider economy,” Tregoning said.

“We encourage our guests to spend their money locally through our Explore Nearby pages on the website which is the front end of a database of over 2,000 things to do, places to see and places to shop close to each property. It is a win for everyone because our visitors value the information and it helps local traders.”

Classic says it has noticed a small decline in the number of German visitors who seem to be staying close to home themselves, but August is filling up very fast.