TTC Tour Brands outlines ambitions for trade business

TTC Tour Brands hopes its increased focus on the trade and recent investment will help it tap into a “huge appetite” for touring.

Kelly Walker, sales director for the UK, Ireland and Europe, said there was significant scope to boost the profile of all five brands – Contiki, Costsaver, Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold.

The declared ambition follows the recent expansion of the sales team from four to seven members.

More:  Homeworker plants trees to fulfil TTC Tour Brands sustainability pledge

“We’re in exciting times because we know there’s a huge appetite for touring,” said Walker. “We want to increase our profile and focus on agents in the UK and become known as the one-stop shop for touring.”

She said departures for 2024 were looking healthy and the brands’ focus was now on encouraging bookings for next year.

“Our 2025 departures are on sale and we’re seeing strong demand,” said Walker, who joined TTC Tour Brands in January from easyJet holidays.

The family-owned operator has boosted its social media engagement with the trade and is highlighting its “easy-to-use” agent portal.

A fam trip recently returned from Greece, with more fams planned for the rest of the year.

“We want to work strategically with agents that see themselves having an opportunity with touring,” said Walker, adding that the brands had benefited from their membership of the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas).

“Atas is doing a lot of work to identify agents [interested in touring] and upskilling them,” she said.

Top-performing destinations for TTC Tour Brands recently include east and southeast Asia, especially Japan and the Philippines. A Philippines with Contiki itinerary was introduced in February and became the brand’s fastest-selling trip in its history.

Insight Vacations’ Women-Only Tours, unveiled in March, will offer departures from 2025 following demand for small-group solo travel. Destinations include Peru, India plus Nepal, Italy, Egypt and Morocco.

Walker said her role had deepened her appreciation of “immersive travel”, adding: “You get to understand the destination and meet the local people, and we’re huge on sustainability.”

She pointed to the brands’ ‘Make Travel Matter Experiences’, which aim to have a positive social impact on the communities visited.