MyTravel is hoping to re-enter the cruise market by purchasing a liner from an existing operator.
Managing Director UK John Bloodworth said with demand out-stripping supply in the current ship-building market, the operator would be forced to find a second-hand ship.
He added once the programme is established, although he could not say when, he hoped the operator would be able to attract a younger demographic to it.
He said: “If we had the right demand and the right type of ships we would be happy to get back into cruise operation. We would be looking for a ship (to purchase) that’s a good age and good quality.”
Bloodworth said the operator is already growing its expertise in the cruise market – he claimed a cruise specialist shop run by MyTravel is already accounting for 8% of the entire UK’s market share.
He added the operator is also planning to set up a domestic tour operation, although he admitted this was a “mature market” that would prove more difficult to break in to. However, he said this could be achieved by either launching a start-up company or through another acquisition.
Bloodworth said: “We’re predicting in the future between 18 and 20 million annual domestic tourists but by breaking into it we’re looking to off-set some of our overseas markets.”
However, he said both moves would be made in order to grow the operator’s UK business and added the grey market is also being targeted as part of this policy, particularly thanks to the success this summer of the newly launched Airtours Al Fresco programme which was aimed at elder customers.
He added acquisition discussions are continuing with First Choice over its mainstream product and admitted MyTravel has set a maximum price for the purchase which it won’t exceed.
However, he refused to say more, adding: “We believe we should have those discussions in private.”
Bloodworth also admitted that should the talks fall through, MyTravel would consider other acquisitions as it continues to attempt to grow its long haul operation to account for more than 12% of all of its current sales as it reduces its short haul offering to 35% of sales.