MHM interview by mytravelmoney.co.uk

http://www.mytravelmoney.co.uk/articles/interview-myholidaymonkey-founder-georgina-zumeris/#.ULhc_OOTvPY

Interview with MyHolidayMonkey Founder Georgina Zumeris

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Avid skier Georgina Zumeris spotted a gap in the market to create a snow holiday comparison site. We thought this was a brilliant idea, honing in on a huge niche that the entrepreneur and founder , Georgina is clearly very passionate about. Below, we caught up with Georgina to find out more.

Describe MyHolidayMonkey in one sentence?

My holiday monkey is a ski & snowboarding holiday comparison website which compares accommodation options from a number of independent sources through a quick and effective search facility. Travellers can then sort through the search results by price or rating, helping them to determine if the holiday fits their needs.

Snow holiday comparison is a niche. Did you spot a gap in the market?

Yes, I believed that there was a gap in the market, there is so much choice out there at the moment with hundreds of independent companies to choose from, I wanted to make this choice easier for people heading to the slopes. My vision is for one website that people can use to assist with finding their ideal ski holiday whilst incorporating ski related deals to assist with their holiday i.e clothing, transfers etc.

What is your background which led you to setting up the site?

I have skied from a young age and after university worked as a chalet girl for Crystal Holidays in 1999, this enhanced my passion for the mountains. I subsequently arranged group holidays for friends every year and found my time spent trawling websites trying to get the best of everything for the whole group for the price. This was time consuming as there was not one website that compared a range of independent companies, this led to the idea for myholidaymonkey.com

What skiing destinations offer the best value for money?

I have always been a fan of the smaller Austrian resorts for value for money, friendliness and they are great for both families and Apres ski. I have been going back to Saalbach, Hinterglemm for years for those very reasons. Bulgaria is also great value for money at the moment.

Top tips for a skiing newbie?

Making sure that you have the right equipment which includes a helmet and warm clothing!

Favourite skiing resort?

This will have to be Morzine in France as you have access to both Avoriaz and Les Gets. Its a beautiful town with a warm friendly atmosphere and great skiing for all abilities.

Skiing resort you’d never go back to again?

I have not been to a resort I would never go back to yet as they all offer something slightly different whether it be great nightlife, value for money or a good snow record.

Tell our visitors a little about how to make the most of apres ski?

The key is to start as soon as you get off the mountain or on the mountain if your in St Anton in Austria. This is especially the case in the European resorts and stay in your ski boots! The locals and ski instructors will generally start early so they can get to bed early and be ready for the next day on the mountain.

What can we expect to see from MyHolidayMonkey in the next 12 months?

My holiday Monkey is looking to increase the number of independent operators listed on the website and continue its growth both within the UK and internationally.

Where do you buy your holiday money?

Always online as you cannot beat the exchange rates.

-interview ends-

Thank you Georgina. If you are thinking of a winter snow break, check out www.myholidaymonkey.com

For the best travel money deals, MyTravelMoney is the UK’s leading travel money comparison site.

myholidaymonkey.com - Press release

http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/my-holiday-monkey-launches-unique-ski-holiday-comparison-website-offering-tailored-solutions-to-winter-sports-enthusiasts-174709471.html

My Holiday Monkey Launches Unique Ski Holiday Comparison Website Offering Tailored Solutions to Winter Sports Enthusiasts

  

LONDON, October 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

First site to compare options from a number of independent sources through a quick and effective search facility

My Holiday Monkey today announced the official launch of its ski & snowboarding holiday comparison websitehttp://www.myholidaymonkey.com. The site offers a unique search function which enables users to specify their criteria from which results are filtered to provide suitable options. This is an exciting new concept providing holiday makers with a tailored approach to choosing their trip.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121018/567936 )

Within seconds of entering search criteria, My Holiday Monkey compares hundreds of worldwide winter deals. Travellers can then sort through the search results by either price or rating, helping them to determine if the holiday fits their needs.

"I was frustrated with the process of trawling through so many winter sports sites and recognised the need for a more centralised approach which allowed independent travellers to directly compare what the industry had to offer," said Georgina Zumeris, the creator of My Holiday Monkey. "The new site streamlines the process of searching for the perfect holiday so that a solution can be found in just a few clicks!"

The site provides information on the facilities available within each of the listed accommodation options and a section called: "Best for…" which includes tick-box categories to find packages most suited to a customer's needs. This option is for a faster search without the user having to enter their full criteria.

Site visitors can further benefit from a list of the weekly top 10 offers, and current deals with winter sports companies, including reduced airport transfers and clothing discounts, to make their holiday more cost-effective.

Once a holiday has been selected, My Holiday Monkey puts the user in direct contact with the property to make a booking. There are no hidden commission fees and all of the company's registered operators accept secure online payments.

For more information

Visit http://www.myholidaymonkey.com

About myholidaymonkey.com

Founded in 2011, myholidaymonkey.com is not a travel agent but the ultimate snow holiday comparison website which strives to find the holiday that suits your needs. The site features options for a range of different holidays to tailor the package to the user. The site also features a list of top 10 deals, user ratings and a blog through which holiday makers can share experiences. The site offers FREE listing for independent holiday companies thereby maintaining its impartiality.

Contact

Georgina Zumeris
Georgina@myholidaymonkey.com

SOURCE myholidaymonkey.com

Rude Chalets 10th Anniversary Party

The myholidaymonkey team are looking forward to attending the Rude Chalets 10th Anniversary Party tonight in Shoreditch.

Check out the Rude Chalets facebook page for more details - https://www.facebook.com/rudechalets?ref=ts&fref=ts

Girls Snowboarding Tips For Uncomfortable Folks

Snowboarding is an exciting sport, but it takes a good deal of practice. It also takes balance, and timing, and a certain amount of bravado. It is easy to hurt yourself if you are just learning, so take a little time to read these hints. Then your first trip to the ski slopes won't be your last! 

First, check a weather report. The best weather for first-timers is something close to a blizzard. This will give you smaller class sizes, and something soft to land on, (i.e. LOTS of snow). You will fall down a lot as you learn, so you definitely want a soft landing. 

You definitely don't want to go too early in the season, before the snow has laid down a layer thick enough. You also don't want to go too late in the season when the snow is mostly ice because that is a whole lot of no fun to fall on. 

Do NOT ask a friend, boyfriend, or girlfriend to teach you. This will end up in frustration, because chances are, they are not trained in how to TEACH, no matter how skillful they may personally be at it. 

Also, this is not a skill you can 'pick up'. You will have to be taught, so don't go out on the slopes and just 'give it a whirl'. You will probably end up hurting yourself and others too. That is one of the hardest things to learn: sharing the snow means you will have to learn how to avoid other skiers and snowboarders. 

Try a lesson from a trained professional. The ski resorts have droves of instructors just itching to send you down the slopes on your first snowboarding adventure. You could sign up for a class, but you may find your fellow students are all six years old. If you can, take a private lesson. They're not much more expensive, and you get an instructor all to yourself. The more time you get with an instructor, the more likely you are to have fun and learn some actual skills. 

Pay attention to what the instructor tells you, in a class or in private lessons. They are paid to know what they are doing and to get totally awkward people to do this. Try doing exactly what they tell you to do, and don't over-think it. It is in their best interest that you succeed, so they will do all they can to help you. 

If following all the instructions to the letter doesn't send you down a few slopes without falling, ask for a refund or a re-do. The ski resort has a lot invested, so they want you to succeed at your lesson and come back again and again for the season. They will try their best to accommodate you if you put your request in a reasonable manner. 

The thrill of snowboarding attracts all kinds of people, particularly after the Winter Olympics. Start your adventure off with a little knowledge and a little prudence, and then go have a wonderful time!

Sunshine in Megeve but no snow!

The myholidaymonkey team are enjoying the sunshine in Megeve this week although it may soon be grass skiing/snowboarding as it needs more snow!

Goofy or regular?

The team are taking their first trip out together to Megeve this week. We are taking along a few friends, two of which are sisters and first time boarders!!! Its funny, I'm sure they'll be secretly competing with one another!! The older sis is deliberating whether she'll be 'regular' or 'goofy'!! I used the traditional method of catching her off guard and seeing which foot she put forward....it was her left foot, but she's adament she should be goofy - as she kicks a football with her right. Any ideas guys??

Megeve here we come!

My Holiday Monkey is off to Megeve this weekend for the first time! The team cannot wait to check out the resort and visit the Grand Marnier bar at the bottom of the slopes (as recommended by my mother!).