A family-run travel agency in the north east of England has expanded with a new branch.
John Dixon has opened Destinations By John has opened in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside – having managed his father’s shop, Destinations By George, in nearby Monkseaton, for nearly a decade.
Both shops are managed service travel partners (MSTPs) of Brilliant Travel, a division of Barrhead Travel. Destinations by George will continue to be run by John’s wife, Pam.
New shop Destinations by John is designed to be enjoyed by all ages and is fitted with a play area named ‘Oscar’s Den’ after Dixon’s grandchild, Oscar.
The play area, converted from the store’s original foreign exchange bureaux, is fitted with genuine aircraft seats for an imaginary play experience “to kick start that holiday feeling”. It shop has a pet-friendly policy.
An official launch party is planned for this weekend.
Founder John Dixon said: “The decision to expand my travel business during the most turbulent period in travel history was a risk to say the least.
“However, I had no doubt that the love affair that we as people have with travel is never-ending. “With this in mind, I needed to keep pushing and hoping – I believe it’s what pulled me through the darkness of 2020.”
He added: “The support that myself and my wife received whilst working for Destinations by George meant I knew I would be in the best hands with Brilliant Travel to take this next step in my career.
Linda Pyle, director of Brilliant Travel, said: “I am delighted to welcome John onboard with Destinations by John – a fantastic addition to the Monkseaton travel market.
“Having witnessed the expertise he has developed with Destinations by George, and with our dynamic package offering and solid support system, I believe he will achieve every success in his new venture.”