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Up to 1,000 agents targeted by Holidaysandmore
Lastminute.com is hoping to sign up between 750 and 1,000 agents when it officially launches its Holidaysandmore trade operation later this year.
Sales director Ian Coyle said the business will rapidly expand its number of retail partners when the brand is formerly launched at ABTA’s annual convention in Orlando in the autumn.
It is currently mid-way through a research and development stage and is working with 250 agents.
Speaking at the inaugural ITEX show in London, aimed at the independent travel sector, Mr Coyle said city and Mediterranean breaks have taken off with an average duration of five nights.
“This has give the agent more flexibility,” he said. “If a customer wants to travel on a Tuesday and there is no availability, the agent is able to search a scheduled, charter and low cost airlines without the need to go into individual systems.
“We will have 750 to 1,000 agents signed up by the end of October when we officially launch.”
Along with dynamic packages, agents are currently able to book accommodation only and lifestyle products – the new brand offering anything from theatre tickets to skydiving.
Mr Coyle said that while the package holiday was not dead “it was dying”, with sales of dynamic packages growing by up to 120% on last year.
“In the last three years there has been a decline of between 10% and 20% in the package market. It has been a difficult period for operators but then everyone has been hit, not just the package market,” he said.
“The boom and bust of internet companies has long gone and the established online businesses such as Lastminute, Travelocity and Expedia are either in or heading towards profitability.”
He said the dynamic packaging market will continue to grow as customers are better informed, crave new experiences, demand flexibility and make impulse decisions.
Report by Steve Jones
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