Escorted tours specialist Page & Moy has seen a 70% increase in bookings through travel agents over the past 12 months, during which time sister brand Just You has seen bookings through the trade rise 35%.
Page & Moy Group sales director Colin Wilson said that including sales for Travelsphere, which only began selling through the trade a year ago, the company had seen a 190% increase in bookings from travel agents.
To further increase its trade sales, the Group will make it possible for agents to book online from November when it will add a dedicated trade area to its consumer websites.
Travel agents now account for 10% of the company's overall sales, said Wilson. "This figure is growing rapidly," he added.
Long-haul sales were driving the growth, said Wilson, with the average cost of a booking rising from £1,233 a year ago to £1,522.
Destinations selling particularly well include China, where Travelsphere is already a well-established brand, the US, Canada and Alaska.
For 2012, the company will offer an expanded range of river cruises, more rail tours in southeast asia and a wider choice of escorted tours worldwide.
By Linsey McNeill
