Tailormade operator Audley Travel posted record trade sales last month. It finished the month more than 60% above target. A quarter of the bookings were for the US, with half of these for California. A further 25% were for Australia. Average booking value was 17% higher than in the same month in 2022. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager, said: “It’s  ideal timing for agents working with us as every sale counts towards their status in our A-List loyalty club.” “We have seen some really strong bookings this month.”

Tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel  appointed Heather Heverling as President and Managing Director of its US business. The US business is based in Boston, Massachusetts. Heverling joins Audley in May. Heverling joins from AdventureWomen where she is President. She spent most of her career at Grand Circle Corporation, moving to SVP, Product Management at National Geographic Expeditions. Audley Travel CEO Nick Longman said: “I am delighted to welcome Heather to the senior team as we move to a new stage for our US business.”

Tailor-made operator Audley Travel has launched ‘The A-List’ – its first loyalty scheme for agent partners. The A-List offers a two-tier reward system for Audley’s most supportive agent partners It includes incentives such as invitations to reward trips, marketing support and the ability to put the agency’s logo on client documentation. Agencies that confirm three or more bookings by 31 March 2023 (or secure bookings that total £50,000 or more) will join The A-List as Preferred agents. To reach Elite status, agencies must confirm six or more bookings, or secure bookings that total £100,000. Preferred status gives agents access to quarterly incentives, priority services, as well as £250 marketing spend. Agencies achieving Elite status will receive enhanced marketing spend of £500, dinner for the sales team and personalised, co-branded marketing materials. Another important, benefit of being part of The A List is an invitation to join Audley’s first overseas trip run exclusively for agents. Elite agents will receive an automatic invitation, and Preferred status agents will be able to join if places are available. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager at Audley Travel, said: “We’ve been keen to provide support for our best agent partners for a while and believe the benefits and incentives that The A-List brings agents will help them to grow their business.” The reward trip departs in 2023.  

Tailor-made operator Audley Travel has released its first worldwide brochure It is a single resource to replace its current suite of 26 regional brochures. A trade specific version complements the consumer-facing brochure, with all call-to-action to ‘contact your local independent travel agent’. The 192-page brochure, ‘The world your way’ includes handpicked stays in global destinations, exclusive experiences and unique sample itineraries. It features Audley’s 47 best-selling destinations, with each introduced by a country specialist showcasing local knowledge. Readers will also get advice, tips and comments from Audley’s expert local guides and clients who have travelled to the destination. The brochure also includes narrative from Audley’s specialists about the itinerary design process. The brochure is a move away from guidebook-style descriptions, instead focusing on showing the reader what visiting a destination with Audley would be like. Each regional destination chapter introduces typical Audley experiences, such as an early morning photography tour of Angkor Wat in Cambodia or joining a research team in Uganda’s forests. Audley’s country specialists also share inside tips, such as the best beach walks in Sydney, or where to enjoy fine dining in Delhi. Greg Thurston, Trade Sales Manager at Audley Travel, says: “Over 90% told us a brochure is important or useful to them when planning a trip, so continuing to offer this was essential.”  ‘The world your way’ is available in both print and digital versions for agents. The digital version can be easily hosted on an agent’s website, added in an email or shared on social media.