Olympic Holidays has added eight Spanish islands, Malta and Egypt as part of its new year-round programme, which includes 200 new hotels – including some that were previously exclusive to Thomas Cook.
The island specialist is adding 120 properties in the Balearics and Canaries, 30 across Egypt, Turkey and Malta and more than 50 in Greece and Cyprus, its traditional heartland.
The operator has introduced Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lanzarote, La Palma and Fuerteventura, in the Canary Islands and Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca in the Balearics.
Egypt is also a new addition for the operator, which said it will re-introduce Sharm el-Sheikh following news that the Foreign Office has lifted the flight ban to the destination. It will also offer a programme to Hurghada, Egypt, and add Malta to its portfolio.
More:Olympic Holidays re-introduces Sharm el-Sheikh
Chief executive Clare Tobin said the larger portfolio was a “natural progression while maintaining 100% price-parity for agents keeps us ahead in an increasingly competitive market.”
Ten of the new properties were solely occupied by Cook customers before its collapse last month, including AquaBlue in Santorini, Kipriotis in Kos, plus Leonardo Cypria Bay in Cyprus.
Tobin said: “The announcement that Thomas Cook was to cease trading last month bought about changing times in the travel industry for individuals, holidaymakers and travel companies, and we extend our thoughts to everyone affected. Through good planning and a responsive team, working through deep insight, we have been able to plug several gaps in the market brought about through the demise of their business.
“We are continually fine-tuning our portfolio to strengthen Olympic Holidays’ place in the market and we strive to provide our customers with new, tempting destinations to explore alongside an exciting range of hotels.
“We work very closely with travel agents across the country and fly from 27 UK airports. The increase in product range also includes Olympic Charms – smaller, family run properties where a warm welcome is assured, to top-of-the-range luxury family properties.
“We have not become experts overnight, it is by streamlining, improving and increasing our credentials as island specialists that we are growing a strong, stable business in an increasingly competitive market. Our sales team and agency support have further increased our presence to support agents with whom we have an outstanding relationship, developed over 50 years.”