MEADOWBAY CELEBRATES DOUBLE WIN

Posted on February 11, 2026

MEADOW BAY VILLAGES’ team celebrates after winning two top awards at the British Travel Awards.

Meadow Bay Villages is celebrating a double triumph at the British Travel Awards, taking home accolades as Best Small Company for UK Family Holidays and Best Small Company for UK Short Breaks.

The awards, voted for by nearly half a million consumers, are widely recognised as the most influential in the UK travel industry. Winners were announced at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Mayfair, attended by senior figures from across the tourism and travel sector.

Chief Executive Geoffrey Smith said the recognition was particularly special given the group has only been operating for 18 months. “To be recognised so early in our journey is incredible and reflects the commitment of our amazing team to providing outstanding holiday experiences,” he said.

Meadow Bay Villages operates four parks, including Billing Aquadrome in Northamptonshire, a peaceful lakeside retreat, and Hayling Island Holiday Park in Hampshire, which now offers luxury platinum-grade caravans with private hot tubs, as well as dog-friendly gold standard units.

The group also runs Golden Leas and Hollybush Farm Holiday Parks on the Isle of Sheppey. Over the past 18 months, Meadow Bay Villages has invested £17 million in regenerating its parks, enhancing leisure facilities and accommodation for guests and holiday homeowners.

LAND LEISURE & TOURISM SHOW REVIEW

Posted on February 10, 2026

We Look Back at the Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2025...

The Land Leisure & Tourism Show returned in November 2025, welcoming thousands of visitors from across the holiday park, attraction, resort, farm business and wider hospitality and tourism sectors. Across two busy days, the show once again proved itself to be a key industry meeting point, bringing together forward-thinking operators keen to explore new ideas, discover practical solutions and gain insight from experts shaping the future of leisure.

With more than 250 exhibitors on the show floor, the event showcased a diverse mix of products and services. Global brands such as Mars Wrigley sat alongside established sector suppliers including Gemapark, leading online booking systems specialist, Outdoor Living Hot Tubs and PIB Insurance Brokers.

Attendees were able to explore everything from interior furnishings and landscaping equipment to booking systems, guest experience technology and high-impact entertainment attractions. Alongside the exhibition, a packed programme of seminars, workshops and panel discussions provided valuable insight into the trends, challenges and opportunities facing today’s leisure and tourism operators.

The show was officially opened by Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, whose keynote set the tone for the event. Smith highlighted the importance of innovation rooted in a deep understanding of the guest. “If you can make the park compelling, an experience that feels like an escape, then why wouldn’t people keep coming back?” he said.

OUR OWN BETH CONNOR was at the event distributing the latest issue of Holiday Park Scene Magazine.

He encouraged operators to focus on the fundamentals: understanding who their customers are, creating a welcoming environment, serving great food and providing opportunities for people to spend time together. Efficiency, Smith stressed, should always be tied to guest value. Wellness tourism was another recurring theme.

Simon Wright, Managing Director of Walter Geering, reminded audiences that wellbeing begins the moment guests arrive. “True wellness starts with how you feel when you arrive at your destination. It’s not an add-on – it sets the tone for the entire stay,” he explained. Branding and authenticity also took centre stage.

Derry Green, Founder of Secret Garden Glamping, noted that guests remember experiences rather than aesthetics, while Natalie Green, Head of Performance Media at Sykes, emphasised the importance of trust and storytelling in building meaningful brand connections. Operational resilience was explored by James Sinclair, Founder and CEO of Fabadousa, who spoke candidly about managing seasonality and cash flow.

Event specialist Sam Beech of Laughing Bulldog Events closed with practical advice on creating standout experiences, from competitor research to influencer partnerships. With its blend of innovation, insight and collaboration, the 2025 Land Leisure & Tourism Show once again reinforced its status as a must-attend event. The show will return in 2026, promising even more exhibitors, expertise and opportunities for operators to thrive.

Please pre-register to join us again in 2026 to explore the future of land, leisure, and tourism.
Land Leisure & Tourism Show 2026
www.lltshow.com/pre-register-2026

: THE REESINK TEAM, were on parade with their Utility Vehicles designers for the hospitality sector.

: OUTDOOR LIVING HOT TUBS had an impressive display of options available.

: THE EVENT WILL RETURN IN 2026, building on another successful year for the leisure and tourism industry.

: PIB INSURANCE BROKERS had a “Catch the Risk, before it Falls” game, with a Top Prize voucher on offer.

: GEOFFREY SMITH, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, opening the event with a keynote focused on guest experience and innovation.

: HOSEASONS had a busy stand with some of their top suppliers to assist with customer enquiries.

THE UK’S BIGGEST TOURISM & LEISURE EVENT RETURNS

Posted on November 4, 2025

Taking place on 5-6 November 2025, NEC Birmingham...

The Land Leisure & Tourism Show is the UK’s largest event dedicated to holiday parks, leisure, attractions and rural businesses. Welcoming over 400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors, the show provides a creative space where you can gather ideas and learn from other experts in the field.

Whether you’re an established industry professional seeking fresh concepts or a newcomer looking to maximise your land’s potential, this event provides a unique platform for networking, learning, and innovation.

A HUB FOR INDUSTRY GROWTH AND INSPIRATION
This year’s show brings together three sectors under one roof, Holiday Parks, Family Attractions and Resorts, and Hospitality, creating an unmissable opportunity to explore the latest trends, connect with leading suppliers, and discover innovative solutions to enhance your business.

Plus with the Farm Business Innovation Show running alongside, farmers and landowners can access even more expert guidance on diversification and land optimisation.

EXPERT-LED SEMINARS & INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLES
Gain valuable insights from industry experts through a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and discussion panels. The show’s keynote, Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, will open with a fresh perspective on the UK holiday park sector, rethinking the holiday experience through innovation and investment.

Expect thought-provoking discussions, covering key issues, trends, and opportunities that will shape the future of land, leisure, and tourism. This unique platform provides both professionals and newcomers in the industry the opportunity to network, learn and explore new opportunities.

Gain valuable insights from industry experts through a packed schedule of seminars, workshops, and discussion panels.

NEW FOCUS ON HOSPITALITY & VALUE-ADDED SERVICES
For 2025, we’re placing an even stronger emphasis on hospitality offerings, helping holiday park operators and rural businesses expand their services and increase profitability.

Expect tailored insights into enhancing guest experiences, adding premium facilities, and implementing effective marketing strategies to drive success.

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT & GROW
Whether you’re looking to source new products, gain expert advice, or network with industry leaders, the Land Leisure & Tourism Show is the must- attend event to take your business to the next level.

Join us on 5-6 November 2025 at NEC Birmingham and be part of the UK’s most influential event for the tourism sector.
Scan the QR code to register for your free ticket today!

SPEAKERS NOT TO MISS!

MEADOW BAY VILLAGES REIMAGINING THE UK HOLIDAY PARK EXPERIENCE
05 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

Geoffrey Smith, CEO of Meadow Bay Villages, opens the Land Leisure Tourism Show with a fresh perspective on the UK holiday park sector.

Discover how Meadow Bay is rethinking the holiday experience through innovation and investment and explore the opportunities shaping the future of holiday parks and rural leisure.

THE REAL COST OF ENERGY METERING - HEAR FROM PARKS WHO HAVE MADE THE SWITCH
05 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

Join industry leaders and park owners as they share their real experiences with energy metering.

From reducing costs to improving guest satisfaction, hear first-hand what works, what doesn’t, and how.

HOW GULLIVER’S WORLD IS SHAPING TOMORROW’S ATTRACTIONS - JULIE DALTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR - GULLIVER’S THEME PARK RESORTS
06 Nov 2025 @ 10:00 - 10:30
Land, Leisure & Tourism Theatre

In this opening address, Julie Dalton, Managing Director of Gulliver’s Theme Parks and Resorts group, which includes Gulliver’s World, shares the journey of the independent, family-run theme park group as it adapts to shifting visitor expectations and industry challenges.

From launching immersive events and unique guest experiences to navigating changing leisure trends, Julie offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Gulliver’s has evolved its offer while staying true to its core values of affordability, accessibility, and family-first fun.

THIS YEARS MUST-SEE EXHIBTORS INCLUDE: TOP TEN