Virgin Holidays has taken a lot of heat in the travel trade ever since the company announced in mid-October that it would no longer sell its products through the trade, opting instead to sell direct to consumers. Mark Anderson, managing director, said at a recent trade event that the decision “has not won me any popularity awards with agents” but emphasized that there would not be any reversal of the move. “Owning the customer experience end-to-end is really important to us as it helps us enhance the overall experience for the customer, particularly pre-departure,” he said. “We want to become a top three company in the UK for customer experience and we are well on our way; our Net Promoter scores are very high.” Anderson said the operator’s strong financial position had been achieved through working more closely with Virgin Atlantic and realizing more synergies with the airline. He added that the company would be securing even more leisure flying from its sister airline going forward
The £200-million-plus ($303 million+) takeover of Audley Travel is closer to completion following a bid from New York City-based KKR, a private equity firm that specializes in leverage buyouts. Audley is majority-owned by private equity firm Equistone. The Oxfordshire-based company, which started out as Asian Journeys in 1996, specializes in tailor-made holidays and safaris to 80 holiday destinations including India, Thailand, Botswana, Kathmandu, Cuba and the Galapagos Islands.
Holidaybreak Group has sold Explore Worldwide and diving tour operator Regaldive to Hotelplan UK. Explore, which has operated small group adventure holidays since 1981, currently lists more than 500 itineraries worldwide, including a small number in the USA. The two businesses will join Hotelplan UK’s existing portfolio of activity and experience holiday brands, which include Inghams, Esprit Holidays and Ski Total. Holidaybreak said its decision to sell the businesses is a reflection of the increased focus on its expanding high growth education, hotel/hostel and mainstream leisure assets.
JacTravel has revealed a new leadership structure following the acquisition of TotalStay Group earlier this year. The combined business will be led by an executive team of six. Former TotalStay founder Peter Clements becomes deputy chief executive of the enlarged group under chief executive Terry Williamson. Stuart Ellis, also previously with TotalStay, takes on the role of chief commercial officer Stuart Nassos, with a background that includes tenures with Sabre, lastminute.com and Holiday Autos, is named as chief operating officer and Nick Williams has been appointed chief financial officer. Mario Bodini, who has been with JacTravel for more than 30 years, is now executive vice-president, responsible for new source market development, with a particular emphasis on expansion into China and other Asian markets.
