Travel Department UK's launch to the trade 'beating all expectations'
James ChappleTravel Department has pledged to work with more agents in the UK, with the UK trade already accounting for more than a third of its forward bookings for 2025.
The Irish operator, which specialises in guided group holidays and escorted tours, launched to UK agents last year, and said agent sales were "beating all expectations".
Following "only" a soft launch, the operator said more than 35% of sales for Travel Department UK’s 2025 holidays were coming from agents.
The operator is supporting the UK trade with incentives, vouchers, prizes, over-branded direct mail campaigns, social media content and fam competitions.
It recently hosted four Oasis Travel agents on its second UK agent fam to Sorrento, taking in Capri, Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, and has vowed to step up its fam programme next year.
Departures are available from London, Scotland and Belfast, as well as Dublin (in pound sterling).
UK general manager Stephen Mills characterised 2023 as a "stepping stone" for the business. "Hosting our second agent fam in three months demonstrates our investment and belief in the sector, and how valuable our travel agent partners have become," said Mills.
"With agent sales beating all expectations and 2024 sales being significantly up on last year, we are looking to strategically expand with the right partners. Our agent partners have an exceptional product, pricing and destinations available from our departure points, including Dublin in pound sterling."
Travel Department UK packages include return flights, transfers, accommodation and tours led by expert local guides. Its product range spans river cruises, solo holidays, long-haul trips and city and short-haul breaks to 160 destinations worldwide.
The business was founded almost 30 years ago in Ireland and last year invested in expanding its UK distribution network, launching to the trade in the UK for the first time.
Earlier this year, it named former Abercrombie & Kent sales director James Coughlan as its new chief executive, while Mills revealed more details of the operator’s plans to grow with agents.
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