Sandals and Beaches reports rise in UK agent sales
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Sandals and Beaches Resorts is reporting a 20% rise in UK trade sales since the launch of its in-house tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd (UCHL), last April.
Over 30% of all agent bookings since April 2017 have been made online via the trade booking engine.
The group said many agents booked a Sandals or Beaches holiday for their clients for the first time.
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Unique Caribbean Holidays managing director Karl Thompson said: "Securing the overwhelming support of our travel agency and airline partners this year during such a tumultuous period for the business was a huge success.
"They trusted us to deliver and we did so despite the challenge of launching a brand new booking system alongside a new business. Our business from the UK overall has grown, with trade business exceeding our expectations, and we are delighted that all of our tour operator partners contributed to this. We would like to thank everybody who continues to support us."
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The operator plans continued growth through adding further room capacity, sufficient air stock as well as creative marketing solutions and commercial propositions.
Cherie Richards, commercial director for key trade partners Global Travel Group, added: "We’ve had very positive feedback from our agent members during the first year of the new UCHL tour operation. There have been an impressive number of agents using the UCHL system for their clients and taking advantage of the training programmes, booking incentives and marketing opportunities to sell more product."
Head of commercial for the Advantage Travel Partnership Group, John Sullivan, added: "The launch of the in-house tour operation has made it easier for our members to get direct access to Sandals and Beaches trips through the bespoke booking portal which is of enormous benefit to our members. The support of the call centre is an added bonus providing that special personalised touch which is something that our members truly value."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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