Bio
With deep roots in the heart of Scarborough, near the bustling tourism of the Yorkshire coast,
Mark Simpson’s journey into the world of hospitality commenced at an early age. At merely
five years old, he was intimately involved in the operations of his family’s enchanting farm,
The Grainary, a rural retreat that offered distinctive tourist accommodation.
As a child, Mark developed an enduring passion for football, specifically Liverpool FC, which
steered him towards a career as a soccer coach in the United States. His international
experiences fostered a spirit of exploration, leading him to traverse the globe before diving
headfirst into the marketing realm at Qype, a pioneering web 2.0 firm focused on social
networking and local reviews in London. Yelp later acquired the company.
In 2012, Mark seized the opportunity to modernise The Grainary by digitising its traditional
offline operations. Over five transformational years, he bolstered the farm stay’s web
visibility, ranking it among TripAdvisor’s top three properties in the fiercely competitive region
and earning the title of ‘most followed’ independent business on Facebook in Scarborough.
Mark’s innovative efforts awarded The Grainary numerous accolades and facilitated growth,
resulting in additional rooms, a tea room, and a restaurant.
Unyielding in his desire for growth, Mark ventured into small businesses in 2016, curious
about their strategies for direct bookings. He found that many depended solely on online
travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb and Booking.com, despite the high commissions and
costs associated with such platforms. Mark believed there had to be a more lucrative method
of attracting guests.
He launched the Hospitality Community Facebook Group with a vision to fill the gap in online
support for hospitality-focused marketing strategies. What began as a local initiative became
one of the world’s most engaged groups on the platform, boasting over 6,600 members and
an impressive 89% engagement rate.
Mark’s firsthand experiences have shaped his philosophy: “Experiencing the tangible
benefits of getting your bookings, the increased control you gain as a host, and the
enhanced quality of life is immeasurable. Growing this community is one of the most fulfilling
achievements of my life, and I relish celebrating every victory alongside my clients.”
Identifying a need in the market, Mark founded Boostly in 2017, an online academy
committed to empowering hosts with the necessary tools, tactics, and training to optimise
their profits via direct bookings.
Boostly’s comprehensive offerings enable hosts to:
* Slash commission costs significantly
* Avoid wasting time on convoluted, outdated strategies
* Establish a profitable hospitality business without reliance on third parties
* Seize control of their destiny and attract ideal guests for direct bookings.
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