Travelsphere and Just You target repeat of annual 20% trade growth

Sister touring brands Travelsphere and Just You are eyeing “significant double-digit” revenue growth through the trade again in 2026, following a rise of more than 20% in 2025.

 

Tom Morgan, trade sales director at the G Touring operators, said investment in the trade team and support for agents drove “exceptional” growth last year – and further initiatives will help that momentum continue in 2026.

 

“We probably want around 20% again. We think that’s very achievable, because of our product range and there are still lot of agents we can engage with more,” he told Travel Weekly.

 

“We have been able to deliver on our objectives a lot quicker than we thought we would.

 

“The numbers we finished [with the trade] in 2025 is where we thought we’d be at the end of 2026 originally – so the growth by the end of this year, over a two-year period, potentially could be astronomical.”

 

He said the share of sales via travel agents has grown by nearly 4% in 18 months – and trade sales are the fastest growing channel.

 

“It is a significantly bigger part of our business, which is really positive,” he said.

 

“We are a company that is growing. We want to make sure that agents are getting their piece of that growth.”

He noted that the trade now accounts for about 30% of Travelsphere sales and 21% for solo specialist Just You.

 

To build on the success seen in 2025, the brands will hold a roadshow later this year for homeworkers “to support them in the best way possible”.

 

More: Travelsphere and Just You recognised as travel’s best employer at Globes 2026

 

Travelsphere and Just You offer chance to win Albania fam trip place

 

“We’ve probably not had the traction through homeworkers that we’ve had through the retail side,” he added.

 

Full details will be revealed in two or three weeks’ time, with the touring-themed event based around an experience for homeworkers.

 

“It is going to be fun and interactive,” he promised.

 

The roadshow aims to capitalise on other recent agent initiatives such as the launch of 24/7 online booking, more regional departures, longer opening hours during peaks and a dedicated trade phone line.

 

Many ideas for these developments came from the agent advisory board, set up in 2025 with 10 agents who share their feedback with the trade team – and will continue to do so in 2026 as they are “invaluable”.

 

Furthermore, the tailored fam trip concept – targeting beginner, intermediate and experienced touring sellers – is being expanded this year, with a record number of 50 agents heading overseas.

 

They will visit destinations such as Uzbekistan, Albania, Vietnam and Greece.

 

One of the ‘beginner’ trips is being held with the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas), and will see agents head to Monet’s Garden, in France (July 24-27).

 

Morgan said working with Atas shows how the brands want to help the whole touring sector to grow “because that benefits all of us”.

 

Furthermore, the team sees a return on its investment in fam trips because agents return as “ambassadors” for the brands, the destination they visited and touring as a style of travel – and the trips are in great demand from agents.

 

“With our Greece beginners fam trip, we had nearly 1,000 agents apply, which is absolutely phenomenal. It is a real testament to how many agents sell touring now,” he said.

 

He said peaks sales are currently tracking are more than 20% up for this month.

 

“This January has definitely been more consistent and steadier than last year. Last year we had probably more peaks and troughs through January,” he commented.

 

“We are about 20% up at the moment; there is still quite a way to go but I am cautiously optimistic.

 

“The majority of our sales last week went into the first half of this year. It feels like customers are booking a little bit later.”

However, the brands have also released their European programme for 2027 four months earlier than before, partly because of demand for agents whose clients like to book well in advance and partly to cater to trends in the Canadian and Australia markets.

 

Back in January 2024, the trade team was just Rachel Mould, UK head of trade sales.

 

Morgan joined in April 2024, along with key account managers Jason Kemp and Jasmine Evans.

 

And last year, Beverley Philpotts, key account manager, and Alan Jones, business development executive, also joined the trade team.

 

Furthermore, the brands are now operating in Canada and Australia.

 

“In 2024, agents knew the Just You brand, but not many people knew Travelsphere,” Morgan continued, admitting Travelsphere had “slipped off agents’ radar”.

 

“Our growth for Travelsphere last year was 30% with travel agents, which was really, really strong.

 

“Through 2025, we made a very conscious effort…to be quite vocal, because the Travelsphere brand has 60-plus-year heritage.”

He said new initiatives such Travelsphere’s new Royal Geographical Society collection had a “really good uptake” with travel agents.

 

“We are on quite a rapid growth trajectory and things like the RGS collections allow rapid growth,” he said.

 

“Solo travel is also a continually growing part of the customer mindset. If you are not selling solo, then you are missing out.

 

“If you are not selling touring in 2026 then you are missing out.”

 

• The team also won Employer of the Year at the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards earlier this month.

 

Morgan said: “We are delighted to have won. Every person in the business makes a huge contribution and it’s fantastic for the team to be recognised for the role they play in making Travelsphere and Just You such a brilliant place to work.”