The Co-operative Travel Group’s new tour operation is likely to focus on the long-haul market, said its new commercial director Shaun Hinds.
Former Travel 2/4 managing director Hinds was confirmed as commercial director of the merged travel business this week. He stood down from his previous job in May 2006 to become a full-time father.
Hinds will have control across the group, including existing tour operations Medinland and Security Travel, and internal wholesaler Escape.
He said: “Long haul will play a big part. That does not mean to say we will only get into long-haul tour operating. We want to create a business that meets customer needs.”
Hinds admitted consolidation among the former big four firms could hit business through the group’s combined network of 425 shops.
But he said: “We want more control over what we sell and less reliance on stock from third parties. We want to be manufacturing more of our own products.”