Singles specialist Solo’s Holidays is promising competitive agency commissions as it reveals plans to work through the trade for the first time.
Agents are being contacted by post for this weekend’s launch through the trade. This will be followed by calls for training and support, and agents who book a holiday to Tobago before April 30 will be entered into a prize draw for a holiday to the island, courtesy of Tobago Tourism.
The privately-owned tour operator, market leader in the singles market, said calls from agents keen to sell holidays to single travellers had been instrumental in its decision to work through the trade. It is the first time a singles tour operator of this size has worked through the trade.
It offers group tours worldwide, from walking holidays in the UK to beach holidays in the Caribbean.
Managing director Andrew Williams, well-known in the trade for his role as sales director for short breaks operator Bridge Travel, said the operator expects signficant interest to come from independent agents.
He said: “In the past we have said no to agent bookings but I don’t want to ignore them anymore. I’d like to explore that opportunity.
“We will support anyone who wants to support us, provided the economics make sense. I suspect there are a strong group of agents out there willing to work with us.”
The company has e-brochures on its website solosholidays.co.uk that can be downloaded, or pages can be printed off. It plans to launch a new website, including a dedicated trade section, within the next month. Agents will also have access to early booking bonus offers and a dedicated trade telephone number for bookings.
The main contact for agents will be business development executive Tony Knight, who is contactable on anthony.knight@solosholidays.co.uk