News

Saga to work with ‘smaller number’ of agents

Saga will work with “a smaller” number of agents to enable the operator to “build stronger relationships” with those partners.

The cruise and escorted touring company for the over-50s outlined changes to its business in a statement issued on Wednesday (January 19).

It said the changes had been made to “ensure we are delivering the holidays our customers want”.

“As part of this, we are moving to work with a smaller group of trade partners to enable us to more closely collaborate and build stronger relationships,” Saga said.

“This is all part of our strategy to build a more agile travel business, delivering the quality holidays that our customers want.”

Travel Weekly understands agents that primarily sell Saga’s escorted touring products are slightly more affected by the move.

Saga started selling through agents in 2014.

Advantage Travel Partnership’s leisure director, Kelly Cookes, called the decision “very disappointing”, adding: “The industry should be pulling together to support recovery at this point and there’s never been a better time to work with agents.”

Agent Ashley Quint said the decision was “disappointing” because his colleagues at Travel Time World in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, had recently helped Saga customers who had booked direct.

The over 50s specialist scrapped a number of 2022 departures following a review into its holiday products last month.

At the time, Saga said it wanted to offer “high quality” trips which had “the least potential for disruption”.

Around 3,000 bookings were affected by the decision. Affected customers were offered an alternative holiday or a full refund.

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.