Managing director Dan Gathercole (second left) and First Class Holidays staff
Long-haul specialist ramps up trade events for 2020 and plans its first rewards club as it notches up 25 years in business. Juliet Dennis reports
First Class Holidays plans 10 trade events to mark 25 years
First Class Holidays is to run 10 trade events and four fam trips next year to mark its 25th anniversary. Te operator, which normally holds two trade events
annually, said the move represented a “significant” investment in building closer ties with travel agents. Managing director Dan Gathercole said: “We are
going from two VIP events a year for agents to 10. “We are not a pushy brand, but it’s making sure we
are in the ball game. We are puting ourselves out there, so we want to make sure 2020 is our biggest year ever.” Next April, the operator plans to host more than
100 people from the trade, mostly agents, at its 25th anniversary celebration, which will include overnight accommodation. Te event will be held at Stapleford Park Country House Hotel in Leicestershire and will have a “round the world” theme. On July 1, the operator will host a party and
overnight stay for 50 agents at Hornington Manor near York to celebrate Canada Day in association with Destination Canada. Canada is the operator’s biggest destination and has been offered by the company since it began trading. And in December 2020, the company will run a three-day golfing trip for 16 agents to Dona Filipe in
30 26 SEPTEMBER 2019 We are not a pushy brand but we
are putting ourselves out there to make sure 2020 is our biggest year ever
Portugal as a thank you for their support. In addition, the operator is planning six VIP agent
events – in Manchester, Chester, London, Cheltenham, Jersey and Guernsey – throughout the year. Each will include a dinner and overnight stay. It is also doubling the number of fam trips to four for 2020, with trips planned to the US, Australia, South Africa and Canada. Te trade accounts for 95% of the operator’s sales, and other destinations it features include New Zealand, Alaska and the South Pacific. Gathercole said 2020 would be a year in which
First Class Holidays focuses on improving agent relationships and customer service rather than expanding into new destinations. Meanwhile, the company will also take its own 46
staff to Majorca for a weekend in March to kick off its 25th year celebrations.
fcholidays.com
Operator to launch First Class Club scheme next year
First Class Holidays is seting up a rewards-based club for agents. Individual agents, rather than
agencies, who have made at least six bookings with the operator by the end of this year will be invited to join the First Class Club in 2020. At least 30 agents are expected
to qualify to join the club in time for its launch and they will be treated to a VIP trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, in March. Te First Class Club will have
two tiers, gold and platinum, based booking volumes. Member benefits will include a
£250 voucher to redeem against a First Class holiday; an annual fam trip place; invitations to events, including the operator’s 25th year celebrations and its VIP trip; and other giſts. Each agent member will receive a certificate and logo to use in their marketing. Managing director Dan
Gathercole said: “Tis will be a rewards-based club but not like a normal loyalty club with points. “We want agents to book
what’s right for the customer, not because they will get a voucher.”
travelweekly.co.uk
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