Agents give Page & Moy a boost
Escorted tours specialist Page & Moy has seen a 70% increase in bookings through travel agents over the past 12 months, during which time sister brand Just You has seen bookings through the trade rise 35%.
Page & Moy Group sales director Colin Wilson said that including sales for Travelsphere, which only began selling through the trade a year ago, the company had seen a 190% increase in bookings from travel agents.
To further increase its trade sales, the Group will make it possible for agents to book online from November when it will add a dedicated trade area to its consumer websites.
Travel agents now account for 10% of the company's overall sales, said Wilson. "This figure is growing rapidly," he added.
Long-haul sales were driving the growth, said Wilson, with the average cost of a booking rising from £1,233 a year ago to £1,522.
Destinations selling particularly well include China, where Travelsphere is already a well-established brand, the US, Canada and Alaska.
For 2012, the company will offer an expanded range of river cruises, more rail tours in southeast asia and a wider choice of escorted tours worldwide.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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