Sapphire Holidays, the Cornwall-based group of self-catering holiday letting agencies, has announced the creation of a new dedicated software business offering cloud-based products designed specifically for the holiday letting market.
Called Staysuite, the new business will offer software-as-a-service (SaaS), bringing decades of in-house IT infrastructure expertise to a sector that is increasingly reliant on robust, scalable and integrated technology.
Sapphire Holidays is currently recruiting for six software developers to help build the new system, which is scheduled to launch in early 2028.
Through its founding business Classic Cottages, Sapphire Holidays has been at the forefront of digital innovation in the holiday letting sector for 40 years. Over that time, its IT department has evolved from a one-metre square ICL computer in the 1980s to a 14-strong dedicated team that designs and builds all of the group’s websites, apps and CRM systems in-house.
The creation of Staysuite brings Sapphire Holidays’ long-standing in-house technology expertise together into a standalone software business, creating a platform that will support both the group’s own operations and the wider holiday letting sector.
Sapphire Holidays director Shane Cornish said: “Classic Cottages has been at the forefront of digital innovation for decades, and IT has always been central to how we operate, so this is an area we know extremely well.
“Staysuite gives us the opportunity to upgrade all our own systems with industry-leading bespoke technology, while also making that capability available to other holiday letting businesses.
“It will also help us integrate new businesses into the group more effectively as we continue to grow, and add to Cornwall’s growing tech sector by creating a brand new software business.”
In the past year, Sapphire Holidays has made three acquisitions in Dorset, north Devon and the Isle of Man. The development of a unified, cloud-based technology platform will support the smooth addition of future acquisitions.
Sapphire Holidays is the UK’s largest family-run holiday letting agency, with a portfolio of specialist brands including Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats, Classic Cottages, Island Escapes and Unique Hideaways. Together, the group manages 2,850 holiday letting properties across the UK.
The business employs around 260 staff and is headquartered in Hayle, where Staysuite will also be based.
