Industry veteran John Donnelly’s JDA Group has forged a joint venture to offer Florida holiday homes via Midcounties Co-operative Travel.
The exclusive agreement will give the agency group’s customers access to 1,800 properties portfolio under the Floridian Homes brand.
Holidays will be sold through high-street branches, online, home-based agents and consortium partners.
Floridian Homes will also be sold through Midcounties’ partnership with Barrhead Travel.
In addition, the JDA-owned Orlando Sunny Soccer attraction provides opportunities for children on holiday to play football and watch Orlando City games.
Donnelly, managing director of JDA Group and former boss of Harvey World Travel and Holiday Hypermarkets, said: “We have particular expertise in Florida where we have been in business for more than eight years.
“Our extensive knowledge of the market and the ability to offer a branded product in this joint venture appealed to Midcounties.
“Orlando will always be a major destination with its theme parks and bustling attractions, but more and more people are choosing to spend their second week relaxing on the beaches of the Gulf.
“Indeed, we are also seeing a trend for a significant number of holidaymakers to head straight for the Gulf Coast and not take in Orlando at all.”
Midcounties group general manager Alistair Rowland said: “As our travel business continues to grow, we are looking to provide more bespoke and exclusive holiday options.
“We are focusing on delivering great service and value, providing the right holidays for our customers and members and delivering expert travel advice.
“Through Floridian Homes we can widen the choice we provide and have added confidence in the quality of the accommodation. Florida is an important market for us and we welcome this exciting development.”