Luxury tour operator Destinology will remain “autonomous” following its acquisition by Saga.
Saga Travel chief executive Andrew Strong insisted: “We are not coming in to dictate terms and strategies.”
Over-50s specialist group Saga bought a controlling stake in Bolton-based Destinology for an undisclosed sum last week.
Strong told Travel Weekly: “There are some very good things about Destinology that will be useful across the Saga business.”
Referring to Destinology managing director Liz Hingley, he said: “Liz and her team have a great plan and we’re going to encourage organic development.”
He suggested Saga could “turbo-charge” that development “by exposing it to key parts of our business”.
Citing the company’s purchase of Titan Travel in 2009, Strong said: “We haven’t tried to create a family of brands that the consumer can’t relate to.
“We believe these brands have separate identities and appeal to their own target markets and that is what we want.”
Hingley told Travel Weekly she is looking to recruit more staff and seeking new offices.
She said: “Saga wants us to run a stand-alone business. For the staff, there are only advantages. The mood here is very upbeat.”
Destinology will retain its shop in Wilmslow, which will continue to sell only Destinology product. The company will also continue to sell through selected agents.
Strong confirmed that Destinology founder Dominic Speakman will remain as president.
He said: “I’ve bought businesses from entrepreneurs before and it’s wrong to say to the person who grafted to build it that their services are no long required.
“I’m impressed with Dominic and his team. It’s exciting on every level.”
Strong has run Saga since last December, having moved from the AA where he was chief executive to prepare the travel company for a public listing.
Saga joined the London Stock Exchange at the end of May.
Read a full interview with Andrew Strong and Liz Hingley in this week’s Travel Weekly.