Specialist operator Ocean Florida is to scale up sales of package holidays to the UK travel trade.
The move follows a successful trial introduced in July 2020 in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ocean Florida had previously only sold Florida holidays direct to the consumer although has been selling villas via the trade for several years.
Following limited distribution introduced with The Travel Network Group, Advantage Travel Partnership and Barrhead Travel, the company now has more than 250 agents actively booking not only Florida, but also Caribbean beach holidays, New York hotels and California road trips.
Distribution is being expanded to the wider UK travel trade with a team of 12, including eight dedicated sales staff.
Agents have the chance to win a 12-night holiday for four to Florida in 2023 or 2024 with flights, villa, car hire, and Ocean Explorer tickets all included.
They can join an exclusive Facebook group (Ocean4Agents) via the operator’s website where they receive details of exclusive offers and product updates and access to the dedicated trade sales team.
Ocean Florida sends more than 30,000 passengers to Florida each year.
Head of trade sales Ann-Maria Agar said: “As soon the travel restrictions came in last March, we leaned on our B2C brand Ocean Florida, who had holidays on sale up to 2024, to assist agents wanting book or amend holidays to later dates.
“Very quickly we were up and running with a select group of agents and we’re delighted to be expanding our offering to the wider travel trade and launching a holiday competition for our trade partners.”
Co-chief executive Harry Hastings added: “Like many businesses, when Covid-19 hit we had to pivot our business if we wanted to thrive when the market started to fully recover.
“Our trade sales have become an increasingly important and valued part of our business strategy and we look forward to building our trade programme with travel agents.”