G Touring brands target 20% trade growth repeat
Samantha Mayling
Sister touring brands Travelsphere and Just You are eyeing “significant double-digit” revenue growth through the trade again in 2026, following a rise of more than 20% in 2025. Tom Morgan, trade sales director
at the G Touring operators, said investment in the trade team and training and support for agents drove “exceptional” growth last year – and further initiatives would help that momentum continue in 2026. “We probably want about 20%
again. We think that’s very achievable because of our product range and [the fact] there are still lots of agents we can engage with more,” he said. “The [trade] numbers we finished
with in 2025 are where we thought we’d be at the end of 2026 originally, so the growth by the end of this year, over a two-year period, potentially could be astronomical.” Morgan said trade sales were
the operators’ fastest-growing distribution channel, noting: “It is a significantly bigger part of our business. We are a company that is growing. We want to make sure agents are getting their piece of that growth.” The trade now accounts for about 30% of Travelsphere sales and 21%
for solo holidays specialist Just You. To build on trade sales growth,
the brands will hold a roadshow later this year for homeworkers. The event will be based around an “experience”, which Morgan promised would be “fun and interactive”. The roadshow aims to capitalise
on other recent agent initiatives, such as the launch of 24/7 online booking, more regional departures, longer opening hours during peaks and a dedicated trade phone line. The brands also released their
European programme for 2027 four months earlier than in previous years. Many ideas for these
developments came from an agent advisory board, which was set up in
Florida and Asia specialists fail
as Gold Crest Holidays closes The CAA last week confirmed the failures of Glasgow-based Simply Florida Travel, which operated under a franchise arrangement with The Travel Trust Association, and Ipswich-based Asiara UK, which operated under a franchise arrangement with Protected Trust Services. Meanwhile, coach tour operator Gold Crest Holidays announced that it had ceased trading.
10 29 JANUARY 2026
2025 with 10 agents who share their feedback with the trade team. Furthermore, the tailored fam
trips concept – targeting beginner, intermediate and experienced touring sellers – is being expanded this year, with a record number of 50 agents heading overseas to destinations including Uzbekistan, Albania, Vietnam and Greece. One of the beginner trips is being
held with the Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers (Atas), and will see agents head to Monet’s
garden, in France (July 24-27). ● Travelsphere and Just You won the Employer of the Year accolade at this month’s Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards (pages 44-45).
Average travel salaries rise but growth slowed in 2025 – C&M
The average salary for advertised travel job vacancies rose by 1.78%, or £659, to a new high of £37,695 in 2025, according to C&M Travel Recruitment. This was the fourth successive year of increase; however, the rate of growth was significantly lower than an 8.43% upturn in 2024, 11.56% in 2023 and 11.53% in 2022.
Tom Morgan
Skyscanner’s new package search ‘not a threat’
Skyscanner has revealed it aims to “shake up” package distribution after introducing a new search function, but one expert believes the trade has limited reason to be concerned. The additional tool compares
prices of package holidays via API feeds from a range of operators and OTAs, including Tui, Jet2, easyJet holidays,
lastminute.com, Expedia, Loveholidays and On the Beach. Cat King, global commercial
vice-president at Skyscanner, said: “By applying our smart technology and unrivalled pricing data to package holidays, we’re doing what Skyscanner is known for – comparing the best options and taking the stress out of planning.” But travel entrepreneur
Steve Endacott said he was “unimpressed” by the new tool and suggested the trade need not be concerned by the feature. “This is not going to have a major
impact,” said the chairman of Neural Voice, which offers AI consulting services. “It’s currently very weak, but I expect it to improve.” Skyscanner said the package
holidays function would bring together more than 25 million packages every day, and confirmed it would ensure all prices followed new CMA rules which stipulate all charges including in-resort fees and taxes are included.
Crystal Cruises appoints Michael
Young-Richards in new role Michael Young-Richards is to join Crystal Cruises from Celebrity Cruises on February 2 to take up the newly created role of key account manager for the UK and Ireland. He has spent five years as a strategic account manager at Celebrity Cruises, as well as two years as a regional sales manager. Young-Richards has also previously held positions with Do Something Different, Kuoni and Tui.
travelweekly.co.uk
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