ASIAWORLD
is to launch new programmes to the Indian Ocean and Middle East and may be sold
through multiples for the first time following its recent acquisition by Argo
Holidays.
Paul
Tilling, who was general manager in the UK under former owners Westminster
Travel, has now been appointed to the board of directors of Argo Holidays and
made product director – long haul.
His
remit is now more focused on the product and marketing of AsiaWorld and
CaribWorld, as Argo’s only other long-haul acquisition, Jetlife Holidays, is
run autonomously and already has product managers.
Tilling
said plans were now underway to expand AsiaWorld’s portfolio with brochures due
out in the autumn covering the Indian Ocean and Middle East.
Operating
as part of Argo Holidays’ is already helping to improve the operator’s trade
relationships and widen distribution, said Tilling, with the potential of sales
through multiples for the first time.
“We
are seeing immediate benefits of being part of Argo Holidays and are now
talking to selected multiples about distribution,” said Tilling.
Earlier this year AsiaWorld was briefly closed by
Westminster Travel and half the staff departed, leaving eight employees, before
it was bought by Argo Holidays. The operator now has 13 staff.