ttglive.com
New site boosts Bourne sales
BOURNE LEISURE has redesigned its website for agents with direct links to the booking en- gines of Butlins, Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels.
The website, bourneleisuresales.co.uk, offers a more streamlined process as well as more detail on accommodation options and activities for guests.
Bourne claimed it had seen a 15% increase in
visitors to its dedicated agent website as well as a 38% rise in online bookings. Head of retail sales Allan Lambert said:
“Through research we understand how impor- tant websites are for agents to keep up-to-date with the latest news, to get instant quotes and make bookings for their customers. “Agents are important to us and as such we will continue to invest to make sure we offer the very best site possible.” Other features include window offers which
are updated weekly and can be searched by region, brand or resort. Agents can also down- load leaflets, posters and window cards. Bourne is offering agents £50 of shopping vouchers through a competition on the website.
Shearings denies ‘for sale’ reports
HOLIDAY COACH firm Shearings has denied claims it has been put up for sale by its owners 3i. Reports this week suggested that the private
equity giant was considering whether to sell Shearings Group for £125m. Accounts Deloitte were said to be conducting a
strategic review, with a sale likely to be the most probable option. However, Shearings insisted no advisors had been appointed to dispose of 3i’s investment in Shearings, and that no sales process was underway. A spokesman said: “The board has engaged
advisors to carry out a strategic review, and as- sess a number of options to support the delivery of the firm’s mid-term growth plan.” He added that consultations were taking place to evaluate a number of options for the company.
TAKE HAT: Jewel in the Crown Holidays partners Platon Loizou (left) and Steve Keay joined staff to celebrate 12 years at their head office in Gatwick. They were also marking 27 years of selling holidays to Turkey and Goa under the Jewel in the Crown brand.
16.04.2010
09
news
Hays indies go on high street spree
Sophie Griffiths.
TWO MEMBERS of Hays Independence Group have given another indication of renewed faith in the high street by taking over agencies that were struggling in the recession. Travel Angels, based in Frome, Somerset, has opened four new retail shops since the beginning of last year, bringing its total to 10. Admiral Travel, based in Altrincham, Cheshire, has opened a new shop, to add to its existing two agencies.
Both owners of the two firms said the shops
had “come along at the right time” as the econ- omy moved out of recession. Travel Angels owner Peter Grayson has taken
over four shops in Chard and Street, also in Som- erset, and two more in Warminster, and Swindon, all of which had been close to going under. “Last year was a good time to get the business into shape for when the upturn comes,” he said. “We had been waiting for the time to be right and for the ideal opportunity to come along, we wanted to have the right premises.” Andy Nelson, who owns Admiral Travel, said his new shop, Mike Davies Travel, based in Woolton, Liverpool, had “just come along at the right time”.
He bought it from the owners on March 29 and said bookings started coming in immediately. The shop is under refurbishment, but Nelson
Peter Grayson (right), owner of Travel Angels, and Admiral Travel owner Andy Nelson
said five bookings had already been taken by April 1. It has been trading since 1957 and Nelson will keep its name as it is an established brand. Grayson said the purchases were another
indication of how high street shops had a secure future despite the rise of online agents. “There’s room for a good independent travel agent on the high street of most towns. There are a large number of people that still want to speak to someone face to face, and our expansion proves that’s the case.”
■How Hays agencies help schools, p18
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