New coach tour operator Toureasy has unveiled its first range of holidays, saying it is “open” to talking to travel agents about sales.
The start-up claims to be UK’s first carbon-neutral coach holiday tour operator, pledging to offset 100% of its carbon emissions.
The range of 50 festive breaks in the UK is being sold direct to consumers, supported by online marketing, but agency sales could become part of the distribution mix.
A range of 2022 UK holidays will be unveiled in the next four or five weeks, and there are ambitions to expand into Europe.
Founder Sean Taggart said: “We would love agents to be part of our success story.
“I am open to talking to any agency in case they can add value. I’m all ears.”
He said the company is “cautious” about the financial risks of selling through agencies and recalled problems that some in the industry had after the collapse of Thomas Cook in 2019.
“It’s about finding partnerships with agents – not necessarily the biggest agency chains but particularly independents or smaller groups if people genuinely want to sell these holidays.”
More: Start-up claims to be UK’s first carbon neutral coach operator
Taggart has been backed by a team of investors who are remaining “below the radar”, he said. He was previously with group travel specialist Albatross for 25 years and chaired the Coach Tourism Association for 10 years.
Toureasy has a team of seven, all working remotely without an official head office, enabling it to recruit staff from across the country.
Taggart said it will be the first coach tour operator not to have a brochure, as it aims to cut out as much paperwork as possible in its sustainability drive.
Currently, departures are available from 35 pick-up points across the Midlands and southwest England, chosen because of the regions’ demographics and motorway links, but Taggart hopes to expand to other parts of the UK.
He said mature customers travelling on traditional coach breaks are an important part of the client base but Toureasy aims to have a broad appeal, with families, younger travellers and groups being targeted too.
“We are trying to expand the market. Coach trips are great value whatever age you are,” he said.
“We are trying to look and feel different, which is reinforced by our sustainability angle.”
He said there have been “eye-watering prices for UK holidays this summer” but highlighted how the “value proposition of coach trips is “unbeatable”.
Prices for the new festive range start at £79, for the London Christmas Shopping & Wonderful Windsor break, which includes one night’s hotel accommodation with breakfast and coach travel.
Festive Torquay Treats with Bargain Bar is a five-day ‘Turkey & Tinsel’ holiday with excursions to Exeter and Plymouth, plus a ‘Christmas Day’ dinner and ‘New Year’s Eve’ party.
Departing on November 1, it includes four nights’ half-board hotel accommodation and coach travel, for £199.
Agents interested in selling Toureasy holidays can contact Taggart via the details on the company website.