Shearings Holidays is considering expanding its agency chain as it seeks to move beyond its traditional coach-tour market and increase retail sales.
The operator owns eight travel agencies in Yorkshire, which sell its own and third-party products.
Marketing manager Chris Barker said: “We are looking at the best way to expand.”
The company is assessing distribution regionally to decide whether to open new shops, buy agencies or develop alliances with third-party agents.
Commercial director Caroline Brown said: “There is an opportunity to look at younger demographic groups who will take an escorted tour if you do not call it a coach holiday.”
Shearings will not open shops near existing third-party agents, said Barker. “We do not want to cannibalise our own business,” he said.
The operator has divided its hotel portfolio into two brands following a £7 million investment. Its 36 Bay hotels are designed to appeal to traditional Shearings customers, while the 13 Coast and Country properties are aimed at younger clients.
The properties feature in Shearings 2010 UK and Ireland brochure out this week, alongside the operator’s Europe 2010 and River Cruise 2010 brochures.