21 November 2008

Great Rail Journeys makes tracks to trade bookings

Former Cresta Holidays boss Steve Kimber is to make his new company agent friendly.

The three brands of Great Rail Journeys ââ¬' a direct-sell company for 25 years ââ¬' are to be bookable by agents.

Kimber has been managing director of the York-based rail holiday company since leaving Cresta in 2005 and has seen sales grow from 19,000 to 34,000 passengers.

He said: ââ¬ÅâœAgents have been trying to book Great Rail Journeys product since my first day in York.

ââ¬ÅâœBut initially we didnââ¬â¢t have the capacity or the resources to service the trade.  The limited number of departure dates on offer meant we sold out months in advance. Opening up to the trade too early would only have frustrated agents.

ââ¬ÅâœNo-one knows better than I do that a good travel agent can be a powerful ally to a supportive tour operator.

ââ¬ÅâœI am delighted that weââ¬â¢ve been able to develop the product and systems to enable agents to book with us.ââ¬~

In three years Kimber has tripled the companyââ¬â¢s capacity, bringing out new brochures under the premium Great Rail Journeys brand, introducing a new brand at a lower price point ââ¬' Treyn Holidays ââ¬' and developing a product for independent travellers looking for tailor-made rail holidays, Rail Select.

Kimber predicts that rail holidays will be one of the few growth areas of the travel industry in the next 12 months.

He sees the increase being driven by factors including improved rail infrastructure, favourable geo-demographic trends, environmental concerns and a backlash against the misery of air travel.

ââ¬ÅâœSales for winter 2009/10 are already 11% up, demand is strong for summer 2009 and now is exactly the right time for agents to capitalise on this fast-growing market,ââ¬~ said Kimber.

All continental tours start from the new St Pancras International terminus in London, making the company one of Eurostarââ¬â¢s largest tour operator partners.  It is also key partners for international train companies such as Amtrak, Via Rail and Rail Australia.

by Phil Davies 

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• Rail definitely on track
  
  

  I can relate to Steve's comments. Open Destinations signed a deal with Rocky Mountaineer Vacations (RMV) last year and after 9 months, we have just completed a major software development for them, allowing them to sell their rail trips across the Canadian Rockies direct to consumers and via agents. In taking our reservations management system Travel Studio, RMV have certainly invested in the future, and this can only suggest they also see a bright future for rail. I see on TV that Ian Hislop is also a supporter of rail so expect some positive comment from Private Eye as well I guess!

  By Steve Lowe, Friday, November 21, 2008
• Great Rail News
  
  

  Fantastic. I have been quietly campaigning on behalf of AITO Agents for this to happen for quite a few years. The timing of this announcement is excellent as we have had numerous requests in the last 12 months for professionally organised train tours.

  By Kristina Hulme, Friday, November 21, 2008