Trade-only tour operator Major Travel is eyeing 50% growth in the UK next year and is open to acquisitions of complementary businesses as it prepares to expand its footprint with launches in Ireland and the US.
The tailor-made specialist, which has been majority owned by homeworking agency InteleTravel since May, reported 35% growth in UK revenue this year and is targeting 50% year-on-year growth in 2025.
It also plans to expand its team, which is based in the UK, the Philippines, South Africa and Kenya, from around 75 currently to more than 100 in the first quarter of 2025.
Areas identified for growth include cruise, with a full relaunch of its Major Cruise arm being planned after it was put on ice during the pandemic, and its recently-launched Major Safari programme.
It has also appointed its first Europe product manager as demand from agents for destinations including Italy, Spain and Greece led to a 60% increase in its business to the continent “without even trying”.
Managing director Qasim Gulamhusein said significant growth next year would come from its new operations in Ireland, where it will sell through all agents, and in the US, where it will focus on InteleTravel’s extensive network.
However, he said the company was also fully committed to further growing its business with UK-based agent partners, which include major players such as Hays Travel and Travel Counsellors as well as InteleTravel.
“The UK market is growing at just over 35% and I want that to be 50% year-on-year,” Gulamhusein said. “Our expansion has really accelerated since May and we want to push that home as we aim to become agents’ first choice for tailor-made travel.”
Major Travel has pivoted from long-haul flight-only sales to tailor-made packages since Gulamhusein and Miqdaad Versi acquired the business in 2017. It has also grown its team, boosted by staff taken on following the collapse of Thomas Cook in 2019.
Gulamhusein said the operator’s product focus remains on luxury tailor-made, with an average package booking value of about £7,000.
He added: “We just attended the Irish Travel Agents Association conference and see our expansion into Ireland as a testbed for other non-UK markets including the US, but we also see huge potential for UK growth, both organically and through acquisitions if the right opportunity arises.”