Travel specialist to walk involved Holidays has joined the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (ATA) as part of their strategy to increase sales and consciousness among travel agents.
The former Chief of Vacation Commerce of Newmarket, Richard Forde, was appointed sales director in January, with the aim that commercial reserves will represent 10% of sales within a year.
He said that increasing the consciousness of the brand was a key reason to bind to jam, comment: “No one really knows who we are; the vacations involved are a young company and has not worked with the trade before.”
The company based in Market Harborough is in its fourth negotiation year. The managing director Steve West founded the business after buying the preferred travel services database, which was dissolved in 2021 during COVID.
It offers guided vacation to walk in the United Kingdom and Europe, with flights and transfers included.
Forde highlighted three particular opportunities for agents: the regional flight; solo travel options; And holidays with walks for those who want a mixture of activity and time of inactivity, since all the tours offer three walks and three days in leisure.
He continued: “Agents know their local market and their customers better than anyone.
“I need good agents who understand the concept of group trip to help market and sell these wonderful ‘holidays with walks’ to their customers.”
He highlighted his 25 years of experience in the tour and adventure travel sector, pointing out: “I have seen it change and become a very wide sector. Agents now hug him, promote him and have dedicated chords in their branches for him.
“It attracts a broader demographic group and makes agents and customers think outside the box.”
However, he has seen some signs of caution in the market, in the midst of economic uncertainty, which means that there are more last minute reserves.
“Reservations forward are generally last year, which is excellent,” he said.
“The fourth one had been up and down in every fortnight. April will also be interesting, due to the late date for Easter and the long extension of school holidays.”
Now he is planning a FAM trip so that agents experience tours in autumn.
Holidays can be reserved online on the agents portal, and training and brochures are also available.
“The month of May is the national month of walks, so we will make incentives for agents and customers around ‘I walk this May!’
“And look for new products to walk in Gran Canaria and a twin center in Menorca and Mallorca.”
Claire Brighton, board director, said: “We are delighted to welcome Richard to the Family Atas in his new role with the holidays involved.
“He knows for his previous experience how our agents can really help increase the sales of an operator, and I am sure that agents will be interested in obtaining more information about what this brand has to offer their customers.”
Further: The vacations involved extend the equipment as demand grows
The vacations involved expect agents to represent 10% of sales within a year
