NEWS YOU CAN USE
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OPERATOR
Neilson expansion to fuel stronger ties with agents
Lee Hayhurst
lee.hayhurst@travelweekly.co.uk
Neilson is looking to increase agent support as it prepares to open a beach property in Spain and increase its reginal flying programme.
The company will open its 11th beachclub, in Mar Menor, near La Manga in Murcia, next July. The 144-room new-build will become Neilson’s premium water sports resort, offering its widest range of activities on Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon. The calm waters will allow
the operator to offer beach-front itesurfing for the first time. The resort, in an area popular
with cyclists, will have several pools, including one which is Olympic-sized, and tennis courts. The opening will mark Neilson’s
return to Mar Menor, after a 14-year hiatus. The operator previously had a small beachclub in the area. eilson will add flights from
Newcastle to serve Mar Menor, as it looks to expand beyond
MAR MENOR: Will become Neilson’s 11th beachclub
“Blah ghwrg hgrhrg hgrh g herh ger hgreh greh greh regh greh rgeh grh grh hrghgr”
“As we expand outside of our existing footprint, agents will become even more important to us”
its southeast, Birmingham and Manchester heartlands. Neilson chief executive David
Taylor said agents accounted for 15% of the operator’s summer business, and that he would be happy for that to increase. “That’s been stable for as long
as I have been with the business,” he said. “Agents are a really
Operator’s takeover will allow it to add three destinations a year
Neilson aims to add three destinations every year, after its takeover by investment group LDC in August. Chief executive David Taylor said: “Our whole
approach at the moment is growth. LDC loves the industry, and particularly the sweet spot we are in, in terms of the active holidays market. We are seeing
important part of our business. “Over time we are going more
regional with our capacity, so as we expand outside of our existing footprint, agents will become even more important to us.” Mar Menor will take the number of Mediterranean destinations in whih eilson has a resort to fie. Taylor said further expansion opportunities were being looked at, with a move into long-haul still a possibility. e added that the firm would
love to be back in Turkey”, but pries need to firm up, and 2021
was a realistic target.
neilson.co.uk/beach
a trend of more and more people switching off by switching on and being active.” aylor said eilson would loo to auire firms with omplementary ustomer profiles, and fous on data analytics to improve customer service in its contact centre and online. “Our biggest issue is customer recognition,” he
added. “We want a more integrated view of the consumer to make sure every contact we have with our customers is as good as our holiday experiences.”
6 December 2018
travelweekly.co.uk23
Did you know…? On November 27 our director of sales, Leah Marshall, escorted 17 travel agents to Sandals Ochi in Jamaica for our annual Star Awards, where they were recognised for their hard work and dedication throughout 2018.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Jetwing Holidays boosts portfolio with four hotels
Sri Lankan chain Jetwing Hotels will open a hotel in Kandy in late 2019. The Jetwing Kandy Hotel will offer a pool and spa facilities. The group has also taken over the management of three colonial-style properties in Sri Lanka’s Hatton Hills region.
jetwinghotels.com
APT adds steam train trip to Budapest cruise itinerary
APT has added an excursion on the Grand Empress steam train in Budapest to its Magnificent Europe river cruise itinerary. The 15-day sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest features dinner at Namedy Castle, Germany. Prices start at £4,645, including flights.
aptouring.co.uk
Azamara launches one- stop travel agent portal
Azamara Club Cruises hopes its new agent portal, Club Azamara, will make it easier for agents to sell its cruises. It will launch on December 14 and gives access to AirWaves, Club Rewards, Club World Learning and Toolkit.
clubazamara.co.uk
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