Explore has paid tribute to the way in which agents have weathered – and bounced back from – the Covid crisis after recording a 50% uptick in new trade sales over the past three months compared with the same period in 2019.
The adventure specialist is aiming to cement its ties with the trade with the release this week of a new Unforgettable Adventures brochure and a new Family Adventures brochure later this month. Both can be requested via TradeGate.
For the second consecutive year, Explore’s brochures are to be distributed plastic-free, in line with the operator’s sustainability strategy.
It has also pledged to guarantee all departures for 2023 "and beyond" in recognition of the importance of certainty to agents and their clients. "Explore hopes to reassure partners that once their customers are booked, they’re going," said the specialist.
Unforgettable Adventures will focus on cultural, walking and cycling tours, while Family Adventures will highlight global travel options for families with a specific focus on school holiday periods.
"Demand for sustainable small-group adventure is on the up,” said Explore director of global sales Ben Ittensohn. “This is a rapidly-growing sector with a very strong outlook. Demand into 2023 is already very positive, with longer haul travel now coming back. We are totally committed to the continual growth of this sector in partnership with our agent partners."
Ittensohn said he looked forward to growing Explore agent business further in 2023.
"We were praised by our agent partners for doing the right thing during the pandemic – being an operator agents can trust is absolutely crucial in how we run our business.
"To have this level of ongoing trust and support from our agents means the world to us and stands us in good stead for an even stronger 2023.”
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