n barnes founder dies
Robert Barnes, founder of Liverpool-based Barnes Worldwide Travel, has died. Barnes started selling travel from the back of his newsagency 13 years ago. He and his sister, Gill Barnes, were the two directors of the company and she will take over as sole director.
n travel exchange fails
ABTAtravel agent The Travel Exchange has gone into liquidation.The company has one branch, in Regent Street, Leamington Spa.
n lunn poly deal
Lunn Poly has signed a deal with GE Financial Insurance to sell its travel insurance, ending a 15-year agreement with supplier Bishopsgate Insurance.
n pontin’s md resigns
Stephen Haupt is leaving his position as managing director of Pontin’s to take up the position of managing director of Regent Inns.
n TV bookings service
GoingPlaces is planning to start selling holidays on British Sky Broadcasting’s interactive TV service Open by the end of January. The multiple was scheduled to go live last November but a company spokeswoman admitted there had been a delay in getting information from tour operators.
n consultancy move
Sunset Holidays former managing director David Unwin is joining Club Travel 2000 as a consultant to help build the operator’s package-holiday business. He was previously working on developing the seat-only specialist’s in-bound tour operation from Spain.New destinations for this year include Las Palmas from Glasgow and Newcastle, and Ibiza from Glasgow.