Wholesaler massively expands presence and offering at WTM 2013.
LONDON – Global Wholesaler Tourico Holidays, already renowned for their hotel brokering expertise, takes a further major step forward to become a truly global player. Long known for their innovative and technology based approach, the wholesaler is announcing core changes in structure, product lines and support bases, all centred round client growth and partnership.
Using World Travel Market as their showcase, Tourico Holidays are ramping up their presence by tripling both size and investment, announcing the latest news in the evolution of their product lines and global positioning.
Expanding on their foundation of hotel product, destination development is focused on five core areas to offer a complete portfolio, with vacation homes, activities, car hire, groups and their own “ExclusiveDeals,” heading the list.
Taking risk on committed inventory to supply the “ExclusiveDeals,” has been Tourico Holidays’ successful model from day one, allowing their clients to enjoy aggressive rates and extended availability, to give them an edge in the market. In the next 12 months, a 600% growth in such deals is planned for North America, backed by an additional $1.5million (approximately £936,800) investment in structure, and major product growth plans already in motion for Europe and Asia throughout 2014. Both the core “ExclusiveDeals” and other top selling product are now featured in the company’s new “TH Collection”, a magazine style brochure to be launched at WTM.
To enhance distribution, a newly decentralised Sales team is set to grow by 50% by 2014, married with regionally based marketing and technical support roles, to secure the foundation for growth and ensure they meet both the market and client demand. Similarly, whilst continuing to offer aggressive commercials, Tourico Holidays is ramping up both service and support, to show greater transparency, a more open door approach and to ease the flow of business.
Already generating huge market interest is their expansion into the holiday homes market, with the goal of offering not just the largest, but a global inventory in the B2B arena.Their specially designed in-house technology means the current 15,000 homes, condo and apartment units worldwide, can be booked as easily as a hotel.
Having built their own “HomesCheckin.com” site to allow online customised check-ins, in the coming months Tourico Holidays will launch “By the Door” booking, to allow partners to book exact units the guest requires. Both these developments will allow them to reach their target of 20,000 units by year end and 35,000+ in 2014.
A $40BN (approximately £24.9BN) market is also extensively covered and earmarked for more investment, with 10,000 activities available across 900 destinations, all aided by their adapted XML, which boasts a 0% failure rate.
A complete restructure is also underway to reposition Tourico Holidays as a Groups provider. Six senior management roles are currently being sought, and all will be supported by locally based teams in the U.K, China, Italy and France. The team expansion is being matched by the development of in-house systems, to allow suppliers to bid for groups business and guarantee the best pricing.
Finally, ensuring they are in the driving seat for car hire, Tourico Holidays is building on the current database of 14 car hire brands with direct connects to Sixt, Hertz and by year end Avis, Budget and Dollar/Thrifty.
The core aim of Tourico Holidays is always to maintain their creativity, so more initiatives are in the mix, including complete cruise ship charters, offering their client base exclusive access to customised events throughout the year.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
