Exsus Travel achieves 25% rise in trade sales

Trade sales for Exsus Travel have grown by 25% this year, according to the company’s managing director Habib Rehman.

The brand’s boss cited “significant growth” as he revealed 95% of the operator’s business now comes through the trade.

During the company’s fourth annual Travel Agent Awards ceremony in London, he said: “Last year I said we continued to grow but at a sedate pace. That was after a few years of stellar growth for Exsus. But thanks to [everyone here], in 2025 the business has taken another leap, and we are again seeing significant growth in the business.

“Our entire business model is now completely trade focused, and as a result, we are averaging 25% growth month on month this year.”

Rehman put Exsus’ recent success down to enhancements within the operator’s sales and product teams.

“Sinziana [Renciuc], our sales director, has worked tirelessly with the sales team, and we now [have large scope] to check prices from various sources in real time and provide very competitive quotes,” he said.

“This combined with our ability to source product at a competitive price that other suppliers sometimes don’t seem to be able to provide – and Amanda [Springer], our head of the product, has been instrumental in working with Sinziana to make that happen.”

Renciuc said the operator planned to host “more agent activities, fam trips and events” to support its trade partners, following successful fam trips to the Maldives, Oman, Cyprus, Athens and Crete and two cruises with Ponant and Sea Cloud in the last year.

Head of trade sales Mark Henderson added: “We’re really grateful for all the support you give us and appreciate you recommending us to your agent friends. It’s been a really good start to the year, and that’s showing in the sales.”

A total of 120 agents attended the operator’s Travel Agent Awards ceremony on June 20 – a 20% increase on 2024.

The Top Agency Group award went to Designer Travel; Beaver Travel director Sally Wallis was recognised as the operator’s Top Selling Agent; and The Travel Snob’s David Walker won the award for Exsus Ambassador.

Other regional awards went to Aquillium Travel, Off Broadway Travel, Murray Travel and Oasis Travel.

Kelly Bowen, owner of Luxury Dream Holidays, was recognised as Best Newcomer.