Saga-owned escorted touring brand Titan Travel has moved to reassure agents it will continue to work with them after Saga said it would reduce its trade distribution.
Over-50s specialist Saga announced changes to “work with a smaller group of trade partners” on Wednesday, prompting fears among agents that Titan may follow suit.
Agents slammed the cruise and touring operator for its move, which was labelled “a bolt out of the blue” by some.
However, managing director Andy Squirrell told Travel Weekly today that “nothing changes” in terms of the escorted touring specialist’s trade ties.
He said: “We have partnered with the trade for a long time. They’ve always been a significant part of our business. Nothing changes at all.”
Squirrell stressed the trade is “part of our recovery” as Titan emerges from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We’ve seen really great [customer] retention and the trade has played a big part in that,” he said.
“They’ve got an integral role to play. We’re very keen to enforce that message in terms of support for the trade.”
He added that Titan was “delighted” with how the trade had responded to its automatic £10 booking incentive offer for peaks.
Squirrell vowed: “As we go forward into 2022 we’ve got a lot more to come [for agents].
“We’re hugely grateful for the support of the trade and we’re looking to strengthening it further.”