FORMER Thomson sales director William Burton has launched an Internet company aimed at professionals looking to tailor-make their own holidays.
Travel Weekly predicted last year that Burton would set up an Internet company. The new Web site, which can be found at www.holidayexpert.com, claims it will fill a gap in the market by offering independent, discerning holidaymakers the chance to tailor-make their own trips and book them on-line in a single transaction.
Burton has a management team of 16 who between them have put £1m into the company; Burton’s stake is 40%.
Holiday Expert plans to raise up to £20m for further investment by selling off up to 60% of the company.
“HolidayExpert is based on the premise that the customer, when given access to the right information, is the expert on what they want from a holiday,” said Burton.
“They identify what is important to them in a holiday and our search facility delivers the best matches with the most detailed information so they can make an informed choice.”
The first site, to be launched in a month, will be a travel agency and a second generation site will be a tour operation offering a full range of holidays including skiing, safaris and activity holidays. Flights, car hire and other services will also be available.