Agency welcomes Corrie star to mark anniversary


Andrew McQuarrie


Jetz Travel celebrated its fifth birthday at the weekend with visits from a Coronation Street star, professional rugby players and hundreds of loyal customers. The agency in Leigh, Greater


Manchester, was set up by Donna Brooks and her husband Nick on April 13, 2019. The couple marked five years in business on Saturday by welcoming customers, suppliers and special guests to the store in Spinning Gate Shopping Centre for a series of activities. “The shop was buzzing from


the get-go,” said Brooks, adding that the agency managed to notch a “mammoth” tally of bookings amid the celebrations. Customers enjoyed coffee and


cake in the morning, followed by pizza and prosecco in the afternoon and a raffle. Coronation Street fans were delighted to have their picture taken with Samia Longchambon, who plays Maria Connor. “Samia was so down to earth


and absolutely engaging with the customers,” said Brooks. “Nothing fazed her at all.” John Asiata, captain of Super


League side Leigh Leopards, visited the shop alongside former Love Island


Samia Longchambon with the Jetz Travel team, including Donna Brooks (right)


contestant Keanan Brand, who is currently on loan from the Leopards to Bradford Bulls. Cheerleaders and club mascot ‘Leeto’ joined the festivities. Raffle winners were given


vouchers offering a discount of up to £500 on a booking made in store. “The whole day ran like


clockwork,” said Brooks, who estimated that 300-400 people attended over the course of the event. Brooks and her husband Nick met


in 1999 when working in Florida for Airtours. The couple started their agency to focus on tailor-made trips, but customer demand quickly led to them selling a wide range of holidays. Alongside Brooks, there are six full-time agents and one who works


Jet2 chief calls on government


to support sustainable fuel in UK Jet2 has called for government action to encourage UK production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), warning limited supplies would put the industry and holidaymakers “at a disadvantage”. Jet2.com plans to use a blend of SAF on flights from Stansted, having already announced flights


from Bristol airport would start using it this year. i Business News, page 48


8 18 APRIL 2024


part-time. Nick, who is self-employed, handles the accounts and payroll. After originally opening in a


single unit within the shopping centre, the business soon outgrew the premises and extended into the neighbouring unit. Among the visitors on Saturday


was Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy. “We were so busy there was


nowhere for Steve to stand,” said Brooks, who added it was a welcome bonus that the agency managed to take so many bookings on Saturday in between the festivities. “We weren’t expecting a


mammoth bookings day, but we doubled bookings compared with the previous Saturday,” she said.


Hernandez promoted to role of president of Silversea Cruises


Bert Hernandez has become president of Silversea Cruises after the departure of Barbara Muckermann. Hernandez has worked for the Royal Caribbean Group for 20 years, most recently as international senior vice-president. He said it was an “honour” and hailed Muckermann’s “wonderful” work.


More than half of families intend


to take a holiday, study reveals More than half (54%) of families plan to take a holiday this year, with a marginal increase in spend, according to a study by financial services provider Legal & General. Despite rising costs, half of the 2,000 people surveyed intend to take a trip in the next four to six months. On average, families have allocated £2,005 for their holiday expenses in 2024, slightly up on last year’s budget of £1,944.


travelweekly.co.uk


Ex-Travel House retail boss targets trade at coach firm


A new coach tour operator is courting travel agents in South Wales following the appointment of former Travel House head of retail Leanne Williams. Williams joined Jason Edwards


Travel as business development manager at the end of February after nearly 20 years at the South Wales agency chain, acquired by Hays Travel in November 2023. The operator was set up last year


by Jason Edwards, former managing director of Edwards Coaches. It received its Abta bond in December and started trading in January, offering packaged coach trips in the UK and Europe, including to events and festive breaks. The first European tour departs in May. Coaches depart from Llanelli and have 17 pick-up points. Williams said talks were just


starting with local agency groups, with the hope of attracting 40% of sales via the trade. She added: “We want to support agents and will look to do some marketing directly with them. We know how important agents are.”


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