Major Travel targets 20k clients Samantha Mayling


Trade-only operator Major Travel is ramping up trade engagement as it targets rapid growth following the lifting of Covid restrictions in long-haul destinations. Rute Magalhaes, head of


commercial, said the company was keen to showcase its credentials as it targets 20,000 passengers in 2023, which would be 65% up on 2019. The operator will host its


first post-pandemic fam trip next month, taking six agents on a luxury seven-night trip to Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. Another fam is being planned,


as well as more “ask me anything” face-to-face training sessions.


“Agents’ expertise is critical and


we want to help them to help their clients,” said Magalhaes. The operator has expanded


its portfolio to meet demand, adding tours that combine Umrah pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia with stays in destinations such as Malaysia, Bali and South Africa. Uganda – renowned for its gorilla


trekking – has been added to the portfolio of safari destinations. “We are seeing demand for


bucket-list destinations – the range of places that people want to visit is vast,” she said. “People want once-in-a-lifetime


holidays. We had an offer for a holiday to see polar bears recently.” Magalhaes revealed sales during


People realised that


they needed support for complex bookings and agents were worth their weight in gold


the peak selling period at the start of 2023 were up 30% on the same time in 2019, thanks to more high-value holidays, longer stays and tailor-made tours – especially multi-centres. “During Covid, people realised


that they needed support for complex bookings and agents were worth their weight in gold,” she added. The Major Go mobile booking portal, launched last summer, had


prompted “great” feedback from agents, said Magalhaes. “We have had more than


500,000 searches on there and 40% of our bookings now start on the Major Go app,” she said. “Agents say it is great and want


more features added.” Major Travel has doubled its


workforce in the past year to almost 50, with about a dozen staff in Manila offering live chat services, six based in Cape Town in product, accounting and reservations roles, and the rest at the company’s head office in London and elsewhere in the UK. “After Covid, we now have a really


positive vibe,” she said. “We are really becoming known for our tailor-made long-haul offering as well as flight-only.”


Seabourn focus is ‘on service not expansion’


Hollie-Rae Brader


Seabourn’s new president has insisted she is happy with the line’s capacity levels, after it was announced the brand is selling its oldest ship. Natalya Leahy, who has been in


the role for two months, said there were no plans to adjust passenger capacity further. The luxury line announced it


was selling 458-passenger Seabourn 6 18 MAY 2023


Odyssey to Japanese transport company Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) for an undisclosed sum in March. The ship will continue to sail for Seabourn until August 22, 2024. Speaking to Travel Weekly during


a trade sailing on board expedition ship Seabourn Venture, Leahy said the line was focused on “exceptional service and experiences” rather than expansion. When asked whether the line was planning any additional ships


for either the expedition or classic fleet, she said: “I’m very pleased with what current capacity levels will be following the launch of Seabourn Pursuit [due to enter service in August 2024] and Odyssey leaving us. “Once those things happen,


our capacity will be slightly higher than in 2019.” Leahy said the line hadn’t planned


to sell Odyssey – launched in 2009 – but decided to go ahead with the deal after looking at the finer details


Seabourn Venture in Greenwich last week. Inset: Natalya Leahy


of MOL’s offer. “The sale means we will have one of the most modern fleets out there and I’m very proud of that,” she added. The line invited more than 150


agents to sail on board new vessel Venture during its first call to the UK last week. As part of the one-night sailing


from Tilbury to Greenwich, agents enjoyed lunch and dinner, a ship tour and a brand presentation updating them on the expedition offering.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURE: Meryl Schenker Photography


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