Harvey World Travel and Global Travel Group agencies will strike joint deals with certain tour operators.
The agencies are both part of Stella Travel Services UK following its acquisition of Global last week.
Stella Travel Services UK managing director Andrew Laurie said: “Obviously there will be common suppliers and we’d look to speak to them with one voice. I’d be surprised if Harvey World Travel and Global suppliers were dramatically different.”
The news follows Global’s reassurances to Gold Medal Travel that sales through its 783 agents were secure. Stella owns Gold Medal’s rival Travel 2/4. Botterill said: “We want to continue to offer independence and choice.”
His views were backed up by Independent Options member Sue Foxall of Kinver Travel. “If I want to sell Gold Medal, I will,” she said.
Meanwhile, Virgin, whose branding features on HWT shops, said it had begun a “planning process” to look at new opportunities following the acquisition. Global agencies could choose to adopt the HWT and Virgin branding.