TRAVELCARE is ploughing ahead with its strategy of
acquiring more direct businesses with the purchase this week of
Majorca specialist Medinland.
The deal sees Travelcare take on Medinland’s two call
centres in Sheffield and one in Chingford, Essex, as well as its
brands Hello Holidays, Journeys Direct and Sun Choice.
All Medinland’s staff are being retained, including
managing director Patricia Rossello-Palmer and director Richard
Knight.
The dynamic packaging operator, which sells via Teletext and
online and was launched in 1998, previously sold holidays under
dual contracts, but acquired an ATOL in March to cover 56,000
passengers. Total annual passenger numbers are 80,000. Average
prices are £350 with turnover of more than £20 million.
Last year Medinland’s pre-tax profits were more than £1
million.
All Leisure Group chairman Roger Allard is believed to have made
around £1 million on the sale of his 25% stake in Medinland as
part of the deal. Allard was unavailable for comment as Travel
Weekly went to press.