Aito Specialist Travel Agents has reported sales worth £53.6 million of operators in its All Stars scheme – the highest level since the scheme started five years ago.
The agent arm of the Association of Independent Tour Operators runs the booking incentive scheme, which records monthly sales of the 38 supplier members of Aito, which represents around a third of operator members.
The sales for the year ending March 2015 are up by more than 100% on five years ago when the value of bookings made by Aito Agents of All Stars’ operators in the Association of Independent Tour Operators totalled £24 million.
Increases have been reported every year, with this year’s sales representing £5.5 million in commission for the 127 agency branches.
Aito Agents’ chairman Gemma Antrobus (pictured) said: “That equates to around £43,000 in commission per agency. Based on sales with just 38 tour operators, it clearly demonstrates the great return that independent agents can achieve by working with their independent operator peers.”
Aito Agents deputy chairman Ted Wake and joint managing director of Aito member Kirker Holidays said: “Aito operators have been impressed by the support shown by the agents- and the All Stars results speak for themselves.”
As part of the All Stars’ scheme agents receive fam trip invites, point of sale material, monthly e-newsletters and special offers for clients. Every booking made with an Aito operator means a £1 credit towards a 50% reduction in the agent’s annual membership fee, currently £425 per branch.
Aito’s executive director Kate Kenward added: “Some Aito operators will only deal with Aito Specialist Travel Agents and vice versa. They trust one another and recognise that this is a partnership of like-minded small and medium sized enterprises.”