Exodus Adventure Travels has rejoined the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaborations.
Sam Seward, managing director, said: “UK travel agents are vital to Exodus; they have always been a hugely important part of our business since our first overland trucks needed filling back in the 1970s.
“We have many longstanding relationships with large consortia and small independents and have always believed in the quality of our connection with frontline agents being at the core of sustaining success.”
He said Atas membership will help Exodus to highlight the expertise of its leaders and “extensive” range of adventure travel experiences.
“We’re incredibly consistent in delivering great customer experience, with huge repeat booking potential for agents,” said, noting how holidays range from hiking and cycling tours to wildlife and premium trips.
“We’ve led the adventure market with our re-wilding programmes, citizen science departures and have a robust and highly impactful range of projects supported by the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation.
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“We have some wonderfully differentiated trips such exploring remote Tajikistan by jeep, searching for snow leopards with legendary leaders like Valerie Parkinson in Ladakh or even travelling with celebrity wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein to the Brazilian Pantanal, the Masai Mara in Kenya or the mountains of India.”
Seward said the adventure travel market in the UK is growing, with customers spending more on average per booking.
“Since Covid, the market is hard to predict…but some things that can’t change. Japan attracts customers for the cherry blossom season, Peru only has a finite number of trekking permits – these sorts of destinations will always attract early bookers, savvy customers who know they need to book early,” he added.
“After a bumper 2023 and a really strong start to 2024 through our 50th anniversary celebrations, market conditions have been flatter through the summer.
“Factors such as the cost-of-living crisis, regional instability and political upheaval have meant the travel industry has had to face some tougher times, but these types of challenges and issues are nothing new.
“We’re seeing amazing growth in our North American markets, especially in the US, and a strong lates market in the UK, meaning we’re very happy with our position heading into 2025.”
Seward said Exodus offers agents in-person training as well as webinars which are particularly popular with homeworkers, plus marketing materials and a loyalty scheme.
The operator hosts about four fam trips per year, with one in Vietnam earlier this year and a Sri Lanka trip departing in September.
Its megafam celebrating the Exodus 50th anniversary will see the operator take 50 agents on four Moroccan itineraries in November.
This year has also seen it introduce a new way to book flights, as well as more than 50 new trips as part of its 50th anniversary year.
“We understand that many travellers are looking to depart from UK regional airports, extend their trips with extra nights, have preferred airlines, collect airline rewards or may like the option to include city stopovers…so we have stopped publishing lead-in pricing on our website to give our mutual customers greater choice and a fully flexible service,” said Seward.
“We can secure the vast majority of flights with just our normal deposit, and customers will also benefit from full Atol protection.
“We are one of few touring brands to also offer commission on all flights booked with us.”
Claire Brighton, Atas director, added: “It’s great to welcome Exodus back to Atas – the team has so much to offer travel agents and their commitment to sustainability really chimes with our ethos too.
“I’m looking forward to catching up with them at our events later this year, including our annual conference in Leeds in October.”