“Idiot-proof†online booking site unveiled
Thursday, 12 Mar, 2010
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Independent agency Qwerty Travel has developed an “idiot-proof” online booking offshoot.
The website, www.travelwasp.com is claimed to be a simple “three click to purchase” site providing dynamically packaged, air-inclusive holidays.
Travelwasp.com will remain under the Qwerty Travel umbrella and is bonded under the Travel Trust Association’s ATOL.
Managing director Matthew Somers said: “We wanted to strip back and simplify the holiday booking process.
“There are lots of sites out there with lots of different search options and gizmos, we wanted to make travelwasp.com totally idiot-proof as we believe that there are people out there who are still apprehensive about buying travel online. This is a means of appealing to them.”
In the 18 months since Somers bought the agency from its previous owners youtravel.com, the business has grown significantly.
In the last financial year ending October 2009 it made a net profit of £267,000 on a turnover of more than £13 million.
Somers is confident of boosting this by at least a further 50% this year.
“This is going to be a tough year and there may be outside influences which mean we do not make this target, however we have set our sights on significant growth and will do everything possible to achieve this,” he said. “Four months into our financial year we are on track.”
Since operating as an independent business after the buy-out from youtravel.com, Qwerty Travel has moved offices twice – its new premises in Frimley, Surrey are 3000 square feet, three times the size of its initial ones.
“We’ve taken on more staff and are looking at growing the team further, as well as new product lines such as cruise and more long-haul destinations, in the coming months,” said Somers.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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