Trade-only luxury tour operator If Only has launched a European programme for the first time in its 22-year history.
The portfolio will focus on the six key Mediterranean holiday destinations most regularly requested by UK customers, including Spain – along with the Balearics and Canary Islands – Portugal, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey.
The collection features 106 luxury hotels across six beach destinations, with five-star properties from world-renowned brands such as Ikos, Sani, St Regis, Jumeirah, Ritz Carlton and Domes.
The packages offer departures from 24 UK airports using scheduled and low-cost airlines.
Clients will also have private transfers, pre-booked seats, luggage and speedy-boarding as standard.
A new 96-page European Collection agent-friendly brochure will be with agencies from May 11, and available to order via Tradegate.
If Only will undertake its largest ever product launch with campaign activity which includes social media, email marketing, blogs, videos and other collateral.
Launch events will be held across the UK including a European showcase and a series of VIP agent dinners.
Gordon McCreadie, general manager, told a Travel Weekly webcast that Europe had been the most requested region by retail partners “for many years”.
“Although only a short flight away, Europe is brimming with fantastic scenery, cuisine and history – not to mention some of the finest five-star luxury hotels in the world,” he said.
“This has been in the offing for quite a while and we see it as an evolution of the brand. This is our biggest launch in five years.”
“It fits seamlessly with our portfolio of luxury long-haul destinations.
“We are established in the long-haul market thanks to the support we get from agents, in particular the Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Arabia.
“Our feedback from retailers was that they missed a trade-only operator like us with our dedicated luxury specialists in the European market.
“Our hotel partners in Europe are excited to be working with If Only and our excellent network of travel agent partners.”
He told the webcast that a team of four has been created, with two existing and two new members of staff, adding: “Our newly formed reservations team is eager to share their over 80 years’ worth of combined knowledge of this much-loved holiday region with our agents and their customers.”
If Only hopes that the European holidays will appeal to existing and new customers and the programme will expand in future to cater for demand.
McCreadie said the holidays had already been soft-launched with a group of key agents who are already asking for the addition of destinations such as Croatia, France and Malta.
To support the launch, If Only is offering agents enhanced earnings on the My Loyalty Card Scheme, giving agents the chance to earn up to £600 on each booking.
In addition, all European bookings made during May will be entered into a prize draw to win a three-night stay at the Ritz Carlton, Abama , Tenerife, including flights – plus fam trip places in 2023 and 2024.