Scottish Passenger Agents’ Retail Consortium has recruited 39 members as shareholders at its first formal meeting.
Organisers of the breakaway consortium SPARC had set a target of 40 members as a launch figure but said they were satisfied with 39 members, which own 60 shops between them.
An initial membership deadline was set for last Wednesday – the last date of renewal for membership to Advantage.
Newly appointed director Roy Brabender said: “This one is a goer. It’s not a problem that we haven’t reached 40. We set that figure because if you are setting up anything you have a business plan and that figure was part of that. There are other agents interested.”
He said SPARCwas in negotiations with all the major operators to secure deals but would only name First Choice.
The bulk of SPARC’s new membership comes from the Scottish 18-member consortium Fairway which decided to disband.
Former Fairway chairman Ian Dixon said: “You could say we were not aggressive enough in recruiting and the members felt that in these changing times of buy-ups and takeovers, we needed to join a consortium with a bit of clout.”
SPARC, however, was launched without several key Scottish agents. Stepek Travel general manager Gerry McPhillips said: “I have spent weeks thinking about this but decided it was in my best interests to stay with Advantage.”
Other noticeable absentees from SPARC are six-branch King World Travel, which has decided to stay with Advantage.