Exodus boosts fam trips as trade ‘key to strategy’


Andrew McQuarrie


Exodus Adventure Travels plans to host more agents on fam trips next year than ever before as it aims to make the trade an increasingly important part of its strategy. The operator, which reported


“strong double-digit growth” in trade sales for the year to date compared with last year, has been ramping up its agent focus since the pandemic. Sales via agents now account for


about a quarter of bookings, up from the “mid-teens” before the pandemic. Sales director Brendan Phelan


said: “The trade is becoming more and more a part of what we do. It’s something we would like to see grow.” Exodus believes fam trips will play


an increasingly important in its trade strategy. The operator used to run two a year before 2020, but it will have hosted five or six – equating to up to 60 agents – in 2025 by the end of the year. “We’re doing considerably more


than we did pre-Covid,” said Phelan. “It’s one of the things we’ve


invested quite a bit more money into since Covid because it’s one of the best ways to engage agents so they can understand the Exodus product and sell it on to their customers.” In addition to “always on”


trade incentives, Exodus recently The trade is


becoming more and more a part of what we do. It’s something we would like to see grow


introduced a scheme that will run until the end of September. The ‘Book Three, Go Free’ incentive enables agents to secure a place on a trip worth up to £1,500 if they make three bookings for 2025 departures. Phelan revealed he was “really happy” with the trade’s response to


Constantinou Bros Hotels unveils UK trade sales team restructure


Former ITC Travel Group trade partnerships executive Vicky McGlynn has joined the UK trade team at Constantinou Bros Hotels. She becomes sales manager for the north at the Cyprus-based group as part of a restructure that sees Mark Richardson promoted to UK and Ireland head of sales. Richardson will oversee the existing four-strong trade sales team.


8 14 AUGUST 2025


Brendan Phelan


the incentive, adding: “I think it’s something we’ll bring back on a fairly regular basis.” He noted that strengthening


relationships with the trade was an important way to let travellers know “the value of what we do”. “The incentives we’ve been


putting out over the last couple of years are not just to incentivise agents, but to make them feel valued and part of the Exodus community,” he said. “For us, they’re a huge part of


what we do and we always recognise the vital role that agents play in connecting customers with the right adventure experiences.”


Spending growth with agents outpaces UK average – Barclays


Consumer card spending with travel agents grew 2% year on year in July, outpacing 1.4% growth across all UK retail sectors, according to Barclays’ latest data. But agent transaction growth of 15.9% suggested a marked drop in average spending value. Spending with airlines rose by 4.7% year on year in July.


Emirates bans use of power banks during flights


Emirates is banning the use of power banks on all flights from October 1 due to concerns over safety. Passengers will be allowed


to carry one power bank on board providing it has a capacity of under 100 watt hours and is stored in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, not in the overhead storage. The airline said the portable


charging devices will not be allowed to be used in aircraft cabins for fear of “dangerous consequences like fire, explosions or the release of toxic gases”. An existing ban on power banks


in checked luggage will remain. Emirates said in a statement:


“There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents on flights across the wider aviation industry. “New regulations will


significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while on the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.” Emirates’ move follows that of


several Asian airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Thai Airways.


Riviera promotes Docherty to succeed Billing as head of trade


Amanda Docherty has stepped up to become UK head of trade at Riviera Travel following Vicky Billing’s promotion from the role in June. The move comes as the river cruise and touring specialist expands its trade team. National sales manager Claire Hills takes on the newly created role of strategic account manager, while Lloyd Morris is promoted to strategic account manager.


travelweekly.co.uk


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