Icon breaks records
Mediterranean specialist Icon Holidays reports a boom in top-of-the-market travel to the region and has doubled last year’s annual sales in the first three months of 2007.
Managing director Simon Hills revealed that the biggest movers for Icon have been Greece (up 220%), Turkey (up 86%) and Egypt which is already showing a 102% increase in sales before the season has started.
He said he was a little surprised at the number of repeat travellers as the company has been operating less than two years.
“Clients were returning to these destinations for the second time, seeking a more in depth view of a particular area rather than the general overview of an initial visit”, Hills said.
Regional hot-spots have been Crete, Ithaca, Santorini (as always), Nile River Cruises with extended stays in Luxor and Aswan and mainland extended touring in Turkey, particularly in the southern and western regions.
Mr Hills says that there was an expectation of growth with a new company but Icon’s expansion has been such that it is now considering full representation in Sydney and Brisbane.
Mr Hills said, “The take up of our products and services amongst Australia’s top agencies reflects our commitment to provide personalised service and in-depth product knowledge on every one of our destinations.
“Agents who are using us know that we pick up the phone quickly, spend as long as is needed to determine the client’s needs and produce wonderfully unique and thoughtful holiday experiences.
“The key to our success revolves around product knowledge and experience. We only choose products and destinations we know best and we believe that is why a few clients have already made a third trip with us”.
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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