Harvey World Travel brand expected to grow
Harvey World Travel is set for a stronger high street presence following parent Stella’s purchase of Global Travel Group.
The Australian group paid an undisclosed sum for Global and is planning to make a decision about branding by early next year.
Stella UK managing director Andrew Laurie said it was likely that it would have several consumer brands for different markets.
“We will consult with members about branding, but Global is not a strong consumer brand,” said Laurie.
“Harvey World Travel is an option for shops and because of its strength throughout the world it would attract a level of investment.
“In Australia we have Harvey World Travel, Travelscene American Express and Concorde agency networks for distinct segments and that could be an attractive model for the UK.”
Global founder George Begg said no action would be taken until Worldchoice had made a decision about whether to merge with the company.
“We need to know whether they are in or out and I think we will by January,” he said.
Global chief executive Andrew Botterill said suppliers such as Gold Medal, which is a rival to Stella’s Travel 2/4, would continue to be sold through its shops.
“Are we going to tell agents to stop selling Gold Medal? No, we won’t because that is not the right way to go about things,” he said.
Botterill said staff had been reassured that jobs at Global were safe and said they had taken the news very positively.
He said the merger with Worldchoice was supported by Stella and the group wanted to continue its working relationship with Advantage.
“We need Advantage and they need us,” said Botterill.
by Jeremy Skidmore
Jeremy Skidmore
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