Hays Travel’s Vista launches specialist touring division

Hays Travel’s B2B tour operator, Vista, has launched a specialist touring division, following a record-breaking year.

The new touring team is tasked with expanding Vista’s offering in the escorted, independent, and small-group touring market – and supporting Hays Travel’s strategy to achieve an even split between short-haul, long-haul and cruise bookings.

Kathleen Molloy, head of Vista sales, said: “It’s been a record-breaking year for Vista since our 2023 rebrand, with trading stronger than ever.

“Cruise sales have grown dramatically – going from just over 20% to now making up over a third of our business – thanks to our dedicated cruise team and strong operator relationships, led by head of cruise, Catriona Parsons.

“Building on this success, we’re excited to launch a specialist touring team, expanding into escorted, independent, and small-group tours.

“We have seen rapid growth in traveller demand for authentic experiences – from safaris in Kenya to wine tours in Australia – and agents need someone with experience at the end of the phone to help create bespoke itineraries in response to their customers’ requests.”

Vista’s touring division is headed by Heather Hutton (pictured), who has more than a decade of expertise and will offer agents support, backed by exclusive offers and training.

Hutton has worked in travel for 18 years, with the last 12 spent in tour operating, specialising in touring most of this time, including a stint at Travel2. She joined Vista five years ago.

Molloy added: “Our customers want more than a holiday; they want authentic adventures, and we have built a team of true experts to support our agents and help customers explore the world.

“The Vista touring team are all highly experienced, skilled and well-travelled. Many of them have been in the industry for over 15 years.

“We have specialists in travel to Africa, Asia, US, and Australia and New Zealand – as well as all-rounders who love travel and are great on all destinations – a few of them love nothing more than a tricky ‘round the world’ trip.

“Vista has launched its biggest and best fam trip portfolio yet and throughout the month of May will be hosting 40 agents over three different trips including Australia, Dubai and Florida, with more trips in the pipeline.

“We are committed to providing our travel agent partners with first-hand destination experiences to support their product knowledge and sales strategies.”

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