Sublime Travel pays agents an advance share of their commission


Luxury operator Sublime Travel is allowing agents to keep 10% of clients’ deposits as an “advance” commission payment. The move is designed to


give agents some much-needed cashflow during the winter months as well as boost bookings for the operator. Normally, agents only receive


their commission from the tour operator when the client pays the balance or departs on holiday. Sublime sells upmarket four


and five-star holidays, ranging in price from £3,000 up to £500,000. The operator organises travel for celebrities, musicians and royalty, and around 80% of its business comes from agents. Managing director Lynne


Rogers said it was important that companies helped each other out in the current crisis, particularly as many agents were taking bookings for 2021 but not yet earning any money on those sales. She said: “It’s about sharing


and trying to get through at the moment.” The policy applies to standard-rate bookings made until Christmas. If successful, it might be continued into next year, added Rogers. sublimetravel.co.uk


The Lake District


Explore adds private tours and more UK itineraries for 2021


Juliet Dennis


Explore has introduced private tours and expanded its range of UK trips for 2021. The operator’s new Unforgettable Adventures range


for 2021 is its first ‘combination’ brochure, featuring the programmes of what have previously been separate brochures for Classic Discovery, Walking and Cycling trips. The new brochure also highlights its bestselling


itineraries to mark its 40th anniversary next year. Private tours are new for 2021. They aim to offer a


similar experience to a typical Explore trip but without the small group and are targeted at couples, individuals and families. Tours are offered across a range of destinations, from a rail tour of Japan to a self-drive adventure through Iceland’s Golden Circle. Explore has also increased its range of UK tours


in response to demand for holidays on home soil and following the company’s own survey which found more


than 75% of travellers would consider a UK trip this year. The seven new UK trips include Walk the Lake District, Cycle Hadrian’s Wall and a Snowdonia Short Break. Head of global sales Ben Ittensohn said: “We’re


excited about the cross-selling opportunities this new ‘combi’ brochure will give agents, who may have customers that have traditionally only looked at our Classic Discovery programme in the past. “We’re seeing increased demand for our walking and


cycling holidays currently – many people have become more active this year in lockdown and, with plenty of space and fresh air, these trips lend themselves well to social distancing – so we look forward to helping our agent partners grow their sales of our active trips.” Explore is also offering agents video appointments,


virtual training sessions and co-hosted consumer events. The operator is due to release its family adventures


brochure for 2021 later this month. explore.co.uk


Regent says ‘Santa awaits’ as Finland changes entry rules


Regent Holidays has welcomed new entry rules for Finland which will allow its short breaks to see Santa in Lapland to go ahead this winter. Under the rules, UK visitors


will be able to go to Finland for up to 72 hours from November 23 without having to quarantine on arrival provided they have proof


14 15 OCTOBER 2020


of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours. Andrea Godfrey, product


manager for Regent Holidays, said: “So many trips have been cancelled this year and there’s been so much speculation about Christmas being ‘cancelled’, that the prospect of being able to actually get away on one of these


dream trips is really wonderful. “Although it sounds short, the


72-hour window actually works really well for anyone wanting to fly in, meet Santa and experience the charm of Lapland in winter.” The operator’s new three-day


Express Lapland Experience costs from £1,350, based on two sharing. regent-holidays.co.uk


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Shutterstock


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