Cruise365 founder Anthony Blackmore has set up a new agency brand called Bucket List Travel and plans to open a number of branches in the coming years.
Blackmore, who launched his cruise business in 1998, created a new website last month to target additional markets and is preparing to renovate his business’s premises in Crook, County Durham, to turn it into a “luxury travel and cruise suite”.
“I decided I wanted to branch out into something a little bit different,” said Blackmore, who first came up with the idea eight years ago.
The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas) was crucial in helping Blackmore decide what approach to take with the new brand, whose suppliers include expedition cruise lines and touring companies.
“I feel Bucket List Travel can mirror the turnover of the cruise side within the next three years,” said Blackmore.
Footfall in the Crook premises is “not massive” – most customers make contact by phone or online – but Blackmore wants to be prepared for face-to-face appointments.
The refurbishment, which could cost up to £40,000, will also allow events to be held for clients and suppliers, with the first scheduled in April with AmaWaterways and Explora Journeys.
If the revamped shop performs well, Blackmore would consider opening in other “strategic” locations.
“I feel there will be nothing stopping us opening branches in different parts of the country,” he said.
“I would like to think that in 10 years we’ll have strategically placed Bucket List Travels around the north of England and maybe in Scotland.”
The business has recruited three more members of staff in the past four months.
Although Blackmore’s focus has been on the cruise sector for the past 26 years, he said he was confident there would be crossover between cruise customers and those looking for a “bucket-list” trip.
His daughter Hannah has been hired to help build the new brand, working on the website and social media presence.
“We want this to be a family business,” said Blackmore, a father of three.