| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 22 |
| Copyright: Other |
New brochure
Holiday Options eyes upmarket sales with Tropical programme
Report by STEVEJONES
SPECIALIST operator Holiday Options has expanded into long haul with the launch of a Tropical Islands Retreat programme.The move follows research which the company claimed highlighted a gap for mid to upmarket island product. Destinations featured include Tahiti, Australasia, South Pacific, French Caribbean, Maldives, Seychelles and East Africa. The programme, which offers holidays from this October through to December next year, will target 2,000 passengers in its first year.
Chairman Jonathan Oakes said: “We believe it fills a gap in the market for a long-haul island specialist that is independent. It now gives us year-round product.”
The operation is being headed by commercial director Alan Brown, who previously worked for long-haul specialists Wings and Select Holidays.
A five-strong reservations team has also been recruited from long-haul rivals to handle direct bookings and agent enquiries.
Brown said the product includes favourites in the Caribbean along with properties on little known islands including Mafia, 100 miles south of Zanzibar and Lamu, off the north coast of Kenya.
“All the properties have been hand picked. It’s a mixture of well established and boutique-style hotels,” said Brown.
Sailing holidays, weddings and Spa breaks are also featured.
Prices start at £750 for seven nights’ half-board at the Breezes Beach Club in Zanzibar although Brown said the average spend is likely to be £1,800 per person.
“I believe 60% of the product will be tailor-made. There is great commission-earning potential for agents,” he said.
A series of training events and roadshows are being planned for autumn and winter. Offers, valid on bookings made before December 15, include free car parking at 20 regional airports and free domestic flights to London.
New markets: launching the debut long-haul brochure at Haywards Heath-based Personal Travel Service, from left, are shop manager Janet Lucas, Holiday Options tropical islands product manager Jan Heighes and Personal Travel Service consultant Vivien Leigh.