Classic sets Freeth long-haul remit Juliet Dennis
New Classic Collection Holidays boss Andy Freeth has been tasked with devising an ambitious strategy for the business to include maximising growth opportunities in the long-haul sector. The former JG Travel Group
boss, who has previously worked at long-haul operators If Only and Gold Medal/Travel 2, has replaced Oliver Garner as chief executive of the parent company of tour operator Classic Collection and trade-only brand Classic Package Holidays. Freeth stepped down from his role
as chief executive of JG Travel Group, parent company of National Holidays, Just Go! Holidays, Omega Breaks and Albion Journeys, in September.
He had worked for the domestic operator since January 2021. Referring to his new role, he said:
“My specific brief is to continue the fantastic work that has already been done. The business has just had a rebrand that has been well received. “There is an opportunity to
grow sales of long-haul destinations, particularly in the luxury space. Long- haul is going to be a big growth area for the business while maintaining our short-haul sales growth.” Classic Collection, traditionally
a short-haul, luxury specialist, added long-haul holidays to its portfolio in 2019. This week it launched its first Indian Ocean and Arabia brochure. Sales growth would also come
from a destination review, added Freeth, and plans have already
Cruise value still outweighs higher airfares – Duffy
Lucy Huxley Southampton
The current weakness of the pound against the dollar is “painful”, according to the boss of Carnival Cruise Line, but she said the value of a cruise still outweighed higher airfares. Speaking in Southampton on
board new ship Carnival Celebration, president and chief executive Christine Duffy said cruises offered “incredible” value compared with land-based European holidays. She urged UK agents to sell
6 10 NOVEMBER 2022
clients on cruises out of Miami and New York, adding that cruises restarting in Australia – from Sydney and Brisbane – should also appeal to British passengers. The fact airlines have not returned
to full capacity since the pandemic was “an obstacle”, said Duffy, but she added: “Over time we will see the demand settle and the airlines will get their full capacity back and overcome their labour issues. I am optimistic.” Duffy revealed Carnival had hit
“110% occupancy” this summer despite families with younger children not being able to travel
on its ships due to Covid restrictions, and she predicted an even stronger 2023 with all vaccination requirements now lifted. “We benefited from being the
first cruise line to have all our ships back in service by May this year,” she said. “But with kids needing to be vaccinated, we’ve missed them on board. That’s all changed now.
It’s a great opportunity for agents.” Carnival Celebration, the line’s
second Excel-class LNG-powered ship, was calling into Southampton as it sailed from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, to its
been announced to make Classic Collection’s simpler itineraries bookable online by the end of the year. Freeth said there was scope to
increase sales of Classic Package Holidays among agents in the “dynamic packaging space”. “I suspect where we have an
opportunity with Classic Package Holidays is with agents who have previously dynamically packaged
Andy Freeth
holidays under their own or their consortium’s Atol,” he said. Freeth will spend the next couple
of months “getting to know, and listening to, the teams and talent” and putting together a “clearly defined strategy”. About 120 agents are due to attend
Classic Collection’s conference and awards in Cyprus in December. “That will be a great opportunity to meet agents and get their feedback,” he said. Simon Cooper, chief executive of On the Beach, parent company of Classic Collection Holidays, said: “Andy has a huge amount of experience in tour operating and in leading B2B travel businesses through fast-paced growth.” Garner left the business this week to “seek a new challenge”.
Carnival’s Christine Duffy with Iain Baillie (left) and Adolfo Perez on board Carnival Celebration in
Southampton PICTURE: Steve Dunlop
new homeport of Miami. It was the first time in 20 years that Carnival Cruise Line had brought a ship to the UK. Duffy said it was important to showcase the new ship to the trade. “The UK market is growing,” she
said. “It’s great for British agents to see this ship, and then sell it. “I can’t tell you how exciting this
day has been, finally giving our UK travel partners the opportunity to see our new Excel-class ship.” Asked if Carnival would ever base
a ship like Celebration in the UK, Duffy said “never say never”, but that it was not in the line’s current plans.
travelweekly.co.uk
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