InteleTravel prepares for launch in Dubai

InteleTravel is preparing to start operating in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after delaying the launch when the Middle East conflict broke out.

The homeworking group, which will formally open its Dubai office in September, is aiming to recruit about 1,000 agents in the early stages, led by UK and Ireland managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes.

She said: “There have been significant challenges this year, but we believe now is the time to breathe optimism and opportunity back into the UAE and show our support to the local community.”

The agency has identified a “huge opportunity” to appeal to expats interested in selling to their colleagues, friends and families, she added.

The company has agreed contracts with 34 preferred partners in the UAE, spanning cruise, tour operators, live events and attractions, while preparing to offer more than “three million products” to enable dynamic packaging.

InteleTravel said it has secured legal permits and a UAE trading license and will provide a dedicated customer service team to support agents.

It has also introduced an InteleTravel UAE website featuring AI technology designed to help agents “streamline administration processes”.

The UAE launch had been due to take place earlier this year, but Handley-Hughes said progress was hampered by the US/Israel conflict with Iran.

“We were preparing to launch in January and then some weeks into the testing, we heard about conflict and felt it was insensitive to launch until we were absolutely happy and confident it was the right thing to do,” she said.

UAE-based agents will take part in a 90-day onboarding programme in addition to travel training covering the rules on selling in the UAE.

InteleTravel co-founder and chief executive James Ferrara said launching in the UAE made “perfect sense”, building on the group’s operations in the UK, Ireland, US, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Handley-Hughes said the agency’s 180,000 agents include about 44,000 in the UK and about 2,200 in Ireland.