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 – a direct-sell company for 25 years – 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: “Agents have been trying to book Great Rail Journeys product since my first day in York.
“But initially we didn’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.
“No-one knows better than I do that a good travel agent can be a powerful ally to a supportive tour operator.
“I am delighted that we’ve been able to develop the product and systems to enable agents to book with us.â€
In three years Kimber has tripled the company’s capacity, bringing out new brochures under the premium Great Rail Journeys brand, introducing a new brand at a lower price point – Treyn Holidays – 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.
“Sales 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,†said Kimber.
All continental tours start from the new St Pancras International terminus in London, making the company one of Eurostar’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
Phil Davies
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