CONFERENCE InteleTravel Conference 2024: Homeworking agency hosts 500


InteleTravel targets £200m UK & Ireland sales in 2025


I


nteleTravel has set its sights on achieving turnover of around £200 million in the UK and Ireland in 2025 after projecting


this year’s revenue is on track to grow by 70% to £145 million. Company president and co-


founder James Ferrara described this year’s growth as “extraordinary”, with a turnover figure of £95 million by the end of August meaning last year’s full-year total of £85 million was surpassed with four months to spare. “There are only 10% or 12% more


agents and we’re up by more than 70% in turnover,” said Ferrara. The average booking value had


risen by 12% to £1,495, he said, with cruise revenue rising by 150% and land holidays recording revenue growth of 100%. Cruise sales now account for 17% of bookings. Asked to explain the scale of


revenue growth, Ferrara said: “Everything we do is aimed at supporting the success of our independent agents, so all of the training, technology and support services, which includes the training


For most companies,


30% would be a huge projection, but for us it’s rather conservative


offered by our brand partners, that’s what’s driving the numbers.” He also highlighted the strength


of customer demand, saying: “We happen to be blessed to be in a booming travel marketplace, but we’ve positioned our agents to truly take advantage of that.” He credited the company’s focus


on cruise sales as playing a key role in driving revenue. “Cruising is so important in the


US and we knew there was a huge opportunity in the UK when we came to this market,” he said, adding that 40% of the agency’s bookings in the US are cruise sales. Attempts to increase the UK


proportion would continue, he said, while the agency is likely to aim for


Agents offer tips on dealing with price-matching requests


Leading InteleTravel agents shared their tips for handling requests for discounting and price-matching. Caroline Dillon said the first step she would


take when faced with a price-matching request would be to ask for a copy of a live quote, rather than a screenshot. Once she had confirmed the


price was genuine, she would try different suppliers and perhaps look at alternative airlines and different hotels. “There may even be a better hotel I can get for a better price,” she said.


14 17 OCTOBER 2024 If she was still struggling to match the price, she


Caroline Dillon


would offer the client additional elements such as excursions to lift the quality of the trip. Alison Green said her first step would be to make sure that the client asking for a price-match had received a quote from an Abta-member company. If not, she would not attempt to price-match. Green added: “If we can’t price- match, that’s OK – we’re not always going to be able to price-match. My top tip would be don’t be disheartened.”


Ferrara aims to host 1,000


InteleTravel plans to host up to 1,000 agents at next year’s conference, which will take place in Porto. The 2025 edition of InteleTravel


Quest, which will be the biggest to date, will be held from September 26-28. Company president and co-founder


James Ferrara said: “Obviously Portugal is one of the most important destinations for the UK travel market, so it’s a strategic choice for us to bring close to 1,000 agents next year.”


total sales growth of 30-35% next year. “For most companies, 30% would


be a huge projection, but for us it’s rather conservative,” he said. Ferrara and UK and Ireland


managing director Tricia Handley- Hughes were still finalising the 2025 target, he said, but it looked set to be around the £200 million mark. Projected revenue growth in the


UK and Ireland this year outstrips that expected for the US, where a 36% increase is anticipated.


Sorrento conference hall


James Ferrara


travelweekly.co.uk


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