FLEXTRAVEL, the new umbrella brand for Tradewinds,
Jetset and Jetset Flights, has reported a 30% hike in bookings in the first
week of this year.
The increase, in a market currently 20%-30% down,
comes as Tradewinds launches its first ever Mega Deals brochure of special
offers to take on Kuoni’s Selection brochure. Within Airtours’ Flextravel
division, Jetset has also seen US bookings increase by 35% during the first
week of this month, although Asia remains the consistent best seller overall.
Tour operations managing director Chris Townson said:
“Our top-selling holiday last week was a three-night break in New York. Sales
went through the roof.”
He attributes this in part to the recent shake up of
the brands’ product mix and improved communication with agents over the past
six months.
Meanwhile, Tradewinds hopes to claw sales from rival
Kuoni with the launch of Mega Deals featuring early-booking deals for
departures made before February 28.
Savings of up to £1,610 per couple are available based
on a 14-night stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort and Spa if booked by the
end of next month.
Under the Flextravel restructure, Tradewinds has been
positioned as the long-haul pre-packaged brand to directly rival Kuoni, while
Jetset is the tailor-made operator taking on the likes of Travel 2, Gold Medal
and Premier.
Townson said the focus for this year would be
expanding the Tradewinds and Jetset brands within their different markets. “Now we have two clear brands and a strategy
to match,” he added.
Flextravel does not feature on the brochures but has
been used within the trade to give the operators increased buying and
negotiating power. It has also seen the merging of the operators’ in-house
marketing, public relations and sales departments.
Other new brochures are
Tradewinds Worldwide second edition, Tradewinds Weddings first edition, Jetset
Far East second edition, and Jetset USA first edition.