Trade-only operator Major Travel is ramping up trade engagement as it targets rapid growth following the lifting of Covid restrictions in long-haul destinations.
Rute Magalhaes, head of commercial, said the company was keen to showcase its credentials as it targets 20,000 passengers in 2023, which would be 65% up on 2019.
The operator will host its first post-pandemic fam trip next month, taking six agents on a luxury seven-night trip to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
Another fam is being planned, as well as more “ask me anything” face‑to-face training sessions.
“Agents’ expertise is critical and we want to help them to help their clients,” said Magalhaes.
The operator has expanded its portfolio to meet demand, adding tours that combine Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia with stays in destinations such as Malaysia, Bali and South Africa.
Uganda – renowned for its gorilla trekking – has been added to the portfolio of safari destinations.
“We are seeing demand for bucket-list destinations – the range of places that people want to visit is vast,” she said.
“People want once-in-a-lifetime holidays. We had an offer for a holiday to see polar bears recently.”
Magalhaes revealed sales during the peak selling period at the start of 2023 were up 30% on the same time in 2019, thanks to more high-value holidays, longer stays and tailor-made tours – especially multi-centres.
“During Covid, people realised that they needed support for complex bookings and agents were worth their weight in gold,” she added.
The Major Go mobile booking portal, launched last summer, had prompted “great” feedback from agents, said Magalhaes.
“We have had more than 500,000 searches on there and 40% of our bookings now start on the Major Go app,” she said.
“Agents say it is great and want more features added.”
Major Travel has doubled its workforce in the past year to almost 50, with about a dozen staff in Manila offering live chat services, six based in Cape Town in product, accounting and reservations roles, and the rest at the company’s head office in London and elsewhere in the UK.
“After Covid, we now have a really positive vibe,” she said. “We are really becoming known for our tailor-made long-haul offering as well as flight-only.”