SPECIALIST
French website IntoFrance is keen to talk to suppliers about broadening its
product range.
Managing director Guy Griffin admits some suppliers initially ignored
IntoFrance when it launched in February because of misconceptions over how it
operated. Despite these teething problems, the company has already achieved a
turnover of £5m.
“People didn’t know what to make of us because we are not an operator and we are
not an agent although we now have around 500 products and are working with 12
operators on the website,” said Griffin.
IntoFrance.co.uk acts as a portal putting the consumer in touch with the
company selling the holiday of its choice. It also has a direct-sell brochure
and a presence on Teletext.
Tour operator Leisure Direction, which owns a third of the company, the rest of
it owned by DMGBroadcasting, supplies many of IntoFrance’s breaks.
It has a
wide range of products, including Disneyland Paris, camping and chateaux holidays.
Griffin believes an information database IntoFrance has created could be the key
to attracting more partners to come on-board as it can carry out highly
targeted marketing campaigns.
“We are happy to talk to anyone about our large and growing database of Francophiles.
This is quality information obtained from 30 thousand people who have
visited the website or given us their details at trade exhibitions,” he commented.
In addition, bookability will be added to IntoFrance’s website for flights and Eurostar
tickets within the next two weeks. In September this will be
expanded to include ferries, Eurotunnel and the SeaCat.
Griffin said this was being done in response to demand from customers.