At the end of November two members of our Human Resources department, Catherine Oldfield and Megan Kille, went to England to visit the universities of Manchester, Exeter and Bath.

There are a growing number of English students studying French who are interested in spending a few months with Madame Vacances, hence these visits.  At each university, after a short presentation of the company there was a chance for students who are looking for year abroad placements for the next academic year to ask questions and find out more about possible work experience with Madame Vacances.

Catherine Dean, who works in the marketing department, joined Megan and Catherine for the visit to Exeter university in order to talk to final year students about her first three months’ work at Madame Vacances as a Management Trainee. Students listened to a presentation about the company and the graduate Management Trainee scheme and had the chance to talk to Catherine about her job and ask any questions. Feedback has been positive, with around 30 students from these three universities already having shown an interest in placements or the management trainee scheme, either ‘officially’ via the Human Resources department or ‘unofficially’ by contacting Megan or Catherine, or even on Facebook!  Some of the university year abroad coordinators have promised to come and visit students in Chambéry or on site over the next few months, which will help reinforce the links we have with these universities. Students on year abroad placements gain valuable work experience which will enhance their future career prospects, including opening up opportunities for future work with Madame Vacances. Similar visits and presentations of Madame Vacances at other universities in the UK are already planned for the New Year (at Nottingham, for example) and for Autumn 2009.

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Bigger and Better

29^th November 2008. Hotel Montana, la Tania, France. And so the Madame Vacances parties go from strength to strength. 250 Cowboys and Indians from Madame Vacances duly turned up to celebrate whatever it was to celebrate and partied till dawn. They feasted on Tex Mex, paella, home-made Texas-style burgers and chocolate fondue, whilst keeping the bar seriously busy until long past their bedtime. Breakfast was a sorrier affair with an eclectic mix of drunken cowboys, bombed-out Indians and early-rising lightweights. The stories started to emerge.

The dancing eventually ground to a halt around 0830 when the dance floor disintegrated in to a wild hay-fight. Reminiscent of their gold-digging past, the brave cowboys searched and searched in the hay for Roger Borne’s glasses but they were declared lost shortly before 9am.

A crack team of specially trained athletes led a fine line-dancing demonstration, which spilled on to the piste, took the form of not-in-line dancing, and ended up as a snowball fight. Father Christmas arrived in traditional fashion, in fact so Father Christmas-like (on a horse-drawn sleigh) that even parents had to revise their long-held view that he’s not actually real. A band arrived, played and 4 drunken musicians left. (Well, 3 actually; one stayed, and acquainted himself with, ahem, a certain party organiser).

Varied prizes were won, mainly by those who had failed to cover-up their mistakes earlier in the year.  Hailey Clarke and Omar won hazard warning triangles and elastoplast for the next time they fall off their bikes; Stefanie Day won a crate of Magners so that she can repeat her Bon Acceuil redecoration experience; Caroline Boussuge won a map of France to help her get from Chambery to Isola in less than 13 hours. She also received a lovely book describing the mountain passes of France, and a spade to dig herself out of the snow should she attempt to cross them in the middle of winter. Bruno Labattu won a delightful remote control quad-bike, and Sergei Zelewitz won a raclette set which he can use to burn down his own house, as opposed to one of the company’s chalets. (Place it upside down on a wooden table, Sergei. You should be in flames after about 10 minutes). Michel Lefety, from the Hotel Farandole, won a telephone which he can use to commence underwater testing.

As is the tradition, a handful of newly-formed couples emerged from the wreckage of a Madame Vacances party. DJ Rodeo Ritch would like to remind people that a small brown envelope  stuffed with used 5 euro notes should ensure immunity from details being revealed.

Millions of thanks to everyone who helped put the evening together, especially Alice Light who came very close to actually self-combusting, but equally to those who got to work straightaway on Sunday for the gruelling clean-up. By 2pm, the Hotel was clean and ready for another day. What a coincidence that your correspondent stumbled down from his room just in time to find the hotel spotless and clean…

Next Rendez-vous? Watch this space.

Set your YouTube to “Watch in high quality” and type in Madame Vacances Snow Dance or follow the link:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpgp3JSCmHo

Dignes Commercial Court,  19^th November

The president of the Tribunal de Commerce of Dignes found in favour of Madame Vacances in choosing a candidate to take-over the assets of failed Residence Manager, LVR.

There was a strong field of companies, but the offer made by Madame Vacances responded most closely to the needs of LVR’s stakeholders – notably the existing staff.

“We made sure that everyone understood our unconditional support for the staff – the backbone of any business” comments David Cornolti, General Manager, “They have suffered over the last 12 months, and we hope that they can now look forward to a secure future with us”.

Not everyone was overwhelmed by the decision however. Madame Vacances faces challenges going forward, notably in convincing some property owners of the company’s potential. Many ex-LVR owners had not received rental payments for over a year and there have been many false rumours and stories concerning the future of the company.

“We have been weak at communicating our message” says Richard Green, Director General of Madame Vacances. “It’s about time we talked openly to all stakeholders and in much more detail to property owners. We’ve allowed too much ill-will to grow, very often nurtured by our competitors and people not really qualified to comment. We have tended to keep to ourselves but really we’re a community based, family-owned firm with a strong code of ethics. Maybe we have to be open with our property owners and make better efforts to explain the benefits of holding a lease with us”.  

The judgement has followed a string of Residence company collapses this year. With a worsening economic outlook and an unfavourably strong euro, the next 18 months will unfortunately see more. It is felt in the travel industry that owner-investors will quite possibly turn to Madame Vacances, with its pan-European network of clients,  to take-over their leases.

It is with a tinge of sadness that Madame Vacances has bid farewell to our Résidence hotelière du Bocage at Les Epesses.

Managed by Eurogroup since 2002,   this 2 star residence has never reached its full potential. Situated just 500m from the renowned Parc Puy du Fou, the doors to the residence will open again on the 1st January 2009 under new management - we wish them the best of luck, and every success for the future.

We would like to thank all of the staff and partners who we have worked with over the past 5-6 years at the residence.

For all of those who were unable to make it to the launch of Madame Vacances on the 20th October, here is what you missed out on…

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For all you bloggers, here is a peek at the adverts our service communication have recently been working on…

Step into the world of Madame Vacances.

 At Madame Vacances we have made it out ambition to be able to offer you more than just a pleasant stay.

This is why we have created the Madame Vacances brand.

With years of experience behind us, we know what you, the customer, need and want from a holiday. We understand that it is of upmost importance to listen, and continue to offer new services in order to give you an unforgettable stay.

Quite simply - we want to share with you what we already know - the secrets behind a truly great holiday.
 

Who doesn’t dream of a break which leaves you relaxed and refreshed  ..let Madame Vacances turn this dream into a reality.

Last Monday, the 20th October, was a night we had all been waiting for. It was the night when the new Eurogroup brand was to be unveiled…the champagne had been delivered, the balloons had been blown up..the tables were set - we were ready to go!

The event was held here at the head office in Chambery, with us (the staff) along with 180 other guests (who had travelled across France to make it in time for the celebrations) - taking us to a grand total of 320 people.

After a welcome speech given by EG Director Mr Green, the presentation followed by the man himself, Head of Communication, M Philippe Angel. After months of anticipation, the new brand was finally revealed to us all.

So what is it I hear you cry… Ladies and Gentlemen - step into the world of Madame Vacances by Eurogroup.

Following on from the recent renovation of the Hotel Farandole at Deux Alpes, the hotel Mottaret at Meribel is currently undergoing refurbishment. The hotel is our latest property targeted for reinvestment, with 50% of work to be completed this year, and the following 50% by next year.  

A total renovation is on the cards, with everything from bedrooms to bathrooms to be refurbished. 

(photo - the newly furnished restaurant at the Hotel Farandole - Les Deux Alpes)

The policy here at Eurogroup has always been to reinvest profits into the maintenance of our existing properties. “We are very happy with the renovations that were made at the Farandole last winter, as were our guests … we have nothing but high hopes for the Hotel Mottaret” says Remi Giacomoni, Director of Exploitation. Watch this space for photos…