The owner of a new Irish luxury travel agency has outlined plans to expand into Northern Ireland – if the business model continues to thrive.
The Travel Suite, owned by Tour America and Cruise Holidays boss Mary McKenna, launched three weeks ago and sells “five star-plus” products that are “off-piste”.
Managing director Lorraine Quinn said she had been “encouraged” by sales levels so far, adding the first booking was a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing departing from New York.
More: Ex-Celebrity Cruises sales chief to lead new luxury agency
Staff are currently working from home, but McKenna expects to open the first branch in Dublin in January.
Asked about growth plans, McKenna said: “We do have a .co.uk website registered and a Tour America and Cruise Holidays office in Cork that can be a Travel Suite office as well.
“If this business model is right and we end up doing more than we thought we would, we could move to the north of Ireland. It’s only an hour and a half away from Dublin to Belfast.”
Although back-office work will be done by Tour America staff, Quinn plans to “scale up” staffing numbers in the new year.
The Travel Suite currently has seven sales consultants – four of whom will continue to be homeworkers even after the new office opens.
A sales manager is set to join the team from tailor-made specialist Trailfinders on December 5, but McKenna has chosen not to reveal their name yet.
Quinn, who spent more than 20 years working for Royal Caribbean Group brands, was approached by McKenna last year.
“At the back of my mind it was always going to be Lorraine leading the team,” McKenna said. “I actually said to (Celebrity Cruises’ EMEA vice-president] Jo Rzymowska I was going after her.
“I think I am a talent spotter. I can see someone who has pure talent, a leader and because I work with so many people in my industry I know when someone is outstanding and they have a spark.
“Lorraine and I spoke early last year about running the company, being a shareholder and I was delighted when she came back and said yes.”
Despite a “short stint” at package holiday specialist Budget Travel in Ireland, Quinn’s CV does not have much travel retail experience on it.
“My experience is mainly with cruise lines,” she said. “I’ve got a good understanding of what is involved but at the same time it’s been an eye opener about how hard it is for the retail sector and all the elements for looking after customers.”
McKenna has vowed to continue carrying out one-to-one meetings with staff across all her brands, including The Travel Suite, every two weeks.
“I do not think many travel companies do this,” she explained. “You are recognising their work and their behaviours.
“You’re not also having to deal with something at the end of the year when it’s too late to tell someone whether they’ve done great or not.”