Sandals to launch UK tour operation next month
Sandals and Beaches Resorts is to launch a UK tour operation next month under the name Unique Caribbean Holidays Limited (UCHL).
Commercial agreements are already in place with key travel agency groups and the operator’s brochure (pictured) will be on shelves on April 10, the official launch date of the new company.
From that date, UCHL will operate under its own ATOL and the company’s current marketing and commercial partnership with tour operator Funway Holidays, which has been licensed to sell Sandals packages in the UK, will expire. Funway will still continue to sell Sandals product in its brochure.
Sandals MD for UK and Europe Karl Thompson said: "Our relationship with our trade partners has always been at the forefront of our UK business model and setting up as a tour operator was a natural step for us to further develop closer and more meaningful commercial and marketing partnerships."
He said the new operation would allow Sandals to ‘have greater control over our destiny’.
"Another benefit of this new tour operation for our trade partners is our continued price parity commitment, meaning that every price that a consumer is able to book with Sandals Resorts direct is always available and commissionable to our travel agency partners," he added.
To coincide with the launch, Sandals is offering booking incentives including the chance to win a week’s stay in a butler suite at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort, Jamaica.
In addition, a new booking engine has been developed with Traveltek that will allow agents to book online up to two years in advance and manage their bookings with access to a flight and price availability calendar.
Agents will be backed up by Sandals’ call centre team, 24-hour helpline, bespoke agent portal and access to new training programme and industry workshops at the Sandals Luxury Travel Store in London.
Referring to the Funway partnership, Thompson said: "The partnership that Sandals had with Funway was a highly successful one for both brands that lasted for 10 years, and we are thankful for their support.
"We are pleased that Funway will continue to feature Sandals and Beaches Resorts within their extensive Caribbean and USA portfolio."
Global Travel Group commercial director Cherie Richards said her company welcomed the move.
"We have worked with Sandals for many years and are thrilled that they will also be operating as a UK tour operator dealing directly with agents. We are looking forward to strengthening the relationship further," she said.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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