Sardatur Holidays is promising agents better prices and a wider product range as a result of its acquisition by Italian travel giant UVET Group.
Managing director Gianni Bonuglia said agents could expect to see more multi-centres, touring itineraries and hotels on offer through Sardatur as well as more attractive prices because of the stronger buying power of being part of UVET’s €2.9 billion turnover business.
The Italian specialist will fall under UVET’s umbrella of brands, including destination management companies (DMCs), tour operators Settemari and Amo il Mondo, hotel management companies and Blue Panorama Airlines. The acquisition follows the decision of owner Felice Soru to retire.
Bonuglia said: “We will have access to the UVET portfolio and its technology. The deal will allow us to buy better and we can provide better prices and services to agents and clients. It is very exciting.
“The UVET group is quite strong in multi-centres and touring and we will have access to that product. It will make it much easier for us to create complex itineraries.
“Up to now we have focused mainly on beach and family summer products; we do not do multi-centres and tours proactively.”
The operator, which currently gets around 30% of its sales from agents, will also have access to a broad range of hotels through UVET’s brands and will be able to filter ones suitable to its product range to fill any gaps in its own portfolio.
Bonuglia added: “We will remain a four and five star proposition and we are here with open arms when it comes to agents. We want to be the best Italian specialist in the UK with the ‘John Lewis’ of product and service. We now have a big, solid company to carry on working towards our objectives with.”
The acquisition could also lead to Sardatur being sold through other markets, as UVET already has footholds in other countries including France and the US.
“As the group is predominantly business and MICE travel, leisure travel is new to the group and a nice product for them to add to their portfolio. They will also come and use our office to recruit in the UK to grow their brands here. It’s a win-win,” he said.