Deben boosts client data

The Suffolk-based high street agency, which is a TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies store, has purchased the client database from Ipswich’s Non Stop Travel – which has been run by homeworker Andrew Soltysik for the past 15 years – for an undisclosed sum.

Deben Travel’s owner, Lee Hunt, told TTG he had been approached by Soltysik “out of the blue” about buying the database.

“I was approached by Andrew because he is retiring,” said Hunt.

“He wanted to pass his business over to somebody who he felt could look after his clients – he has known some of them for the best part of 40 years.

“Andrew did some research on us – we book similar types of holidays as his clients. We both do a lot of luxury long-haul.”

This led to a deal being struck for the database of 2,000 customers.

“It’s very difficult to put a price on a database,” added Hunt. “We will be approaching the top clients and probably sending them a bottle, box or bunch of something to introduce ourselves to them.

“If we send them a nice gift at the beginning of the relationship, then hopefully it will encourage them to remember us when they are thinking of booking a holiday.”

Deben Travel, which is a member of The Global Travel Group, has recently taken on a sixth member of staff.

Hunt said the agency would consider moving to bigger premises if “an opportunity presents itself” in its hometown of Woodbridge.