Leicestershire agency group Holiday Lounge has unveiled plans to establish a weddings department after celebrating another record year of sales.
The agency, a member of Midcounties Co-operative Travel Consortium, saw sales of more than £12 million in 2024 – up from £11 million-plus in 2023, its previous record year.
News about the sales and weddings initiative were announced at the four-branch agency’s second overseas conference, held last week at Tenerife’s Hard Rock Hotel – part of the Palladium Hotel Group.
Paul Moss, managing director of Holiday Lounge (pictured at the agency’s annual conference), told Travel Weekly that the new weddings department will work with Constantinou Bros Hotels, which has four luxury properties in Paphos, Cyprus.
Moss said he used to live in Paphos so knows the resort very well, adding the agency has a “very good working relationship” with Constantinou Bros Hotels.
During December, one member of staff per branch will be chosen to be trained about the hotels and the weddings on offer, as well as legal issues about marrying in Cyprus.
Moss also wants to recruit one or two people to oversee the weddings department.
The agency has already made its first wedding sale as part of the partnership, with a group of 32 being booked last week.
“We want to encourage more as it is a great product with Constantinou Bros Hotels,” he added.
He hailed “tremendous” growth over the past three years at the agency, which has branches in Hinckley, Lutterworth, Burbage and Birstall.
Passing £12 million in sales for 2024 is thanks to the team having “a strong work ethic and great support”, he added.
He also noted how 78% of the agency’s business comes from just nine tour operators.
The headline sponsor for the event was Jet2holidays, along with elite sponsors Riviera Travel, Wendy Wu Tours, If Only, Balkan Holidays, JTA Travel and Abercrombie & Kent.
The agenda included presentations from the Holiday Lounge directors, apprentices and social media and operations team.
Former professional footballer Dean Thomas – who is now a swing singer – also appeared at the event as an inspirational speaker and singer.