THOMSON has strengthened its position in the lates market with the acquisition of Team Lincoln, the UK’s largest independent Teletext agency.
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, emerged as the market leader increased distribution through independents by opening up its Preferred Agent Scheme to consortia.
A Thomson spokesman said: “We have been under-represented in Teletext and this will give us the presence we have been looking for.”
Team Lincoln, which was formed earlier this year following the merger of Team and Lincoln Travel, has five call centres in the northeast employing 260 reservations staff.
Thomson has also struck deals with ARTAC Worldchoice and Midconsort which will see both organisations introduce tiered systems offering different levels of commission and marketing support to members.
It is the first time Thomson has recognised consortia and comes after the market leader watered down its scheme to attract a further 150 independent retailers (Travel Weekly July 26).