Westoe Travel is to launch its own UK breaks tour operator to meet demand for domestic travel following the collapse of specialists such as Super Break, Shearings and National Holidays.
Shearings and National Holidays owner Specialist Leisure Group went into administration on May 22. Super Break parent Malvern Group went into administration in August last year.
Around 35% of Westoe Travel’s business is for domestic holidays. It is among scores of agencies to have mourned the loss of UK operator brands.
Owner of the South Shields travel agency Graeme Brett said: “We are very conscious that there will be an increased demand for UK breaks over the next 12 months.
“Sadly we have seen the loss of some iconic travel brands in the last few months such as Super Break, Shearings and National Holidays. We want to make sure that we have a wide range of product of offer our customers.”
The agency has applied successfully for an additional tour operator membership with Abta to allow it to package together rail and coach holidays in the UK, initially just for its own customers.
Brett said the agency would continue to work with UK operators, and was not seeking to compete with them, but aimed to use its own operation to “fill any gaps” left by the loss of Super Break, Shearings and National Holidays.
He added: “This is a really exciting time for us and we are confident that we will have the best possible range of products for our customers wanting UK breaks.”
Westoe Travel was established in 1989 and is owned by husband and wife team Graeme and Joan Brett. Three generations of the Brett family have been involved in the business.
