Escorted touring operator Exoticca has joined Atas to strengthen connections with UK travel agents.
- Based in Barcelona, Exoticca offers premium tours to over 60 global destinations.
- The entry into the UK market follows successful engagements in North America and Spain.
- Exoticca aims to expand its trade sales team and enhance booking technology.
- Projected sales growth is strong, with a focus on experiential travel.
Exoticca, a Barcelona-headquartered escorted touring operator, has strategically aligned with the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) to enhance its presence among UK travel agents. The collaboration aims to leverage the increasing interest in trade sales in the region by showcasing Exoticca’s diverse tour offerings to travel agents, thereby facilitating a comprehensive understanding and promotion of its products.
Exoticca, which offers private and small group tours to more than 60 destinations worldwide, sees this initiative as a ‘perfect way’ to engage with travel agents who are responsible for selling their tours. This move follows a similar strategy adopted successfully in North America and Spain, indicating a robust confidence in the UK market’s potential to drive trade bookings and sales growth.
Neil Sealy, Managing Director for the UK and Ireland, noted the enthusiastic reception from UK travel agents, bolstered by the company’s historical success in other regions. The UK launch has been marked by strong trade bookings in the initial months, which aligns with Exoticca’s ambitions to thrive within this sector. According to Sealy, the company has already begun adapting its technology to better suit the UK travel agent model, enhancing user experience and accessibility.
As part of its 2024 strategy, Exoticca plans to introduce more training webinars and expand its trade sales team, facilitating greater face-to-face interaction and educational trips. These initiatives are expected to provide agents with firsthand experience of Exoticca’s offerings, supporting their ability to better market and sell the tours.
In addition to the structural expansions, Exoticca is responding to market trends by focusing on experiential travel, where tourists seek to immerse themselves in local culture and history. The company believes this approach will attract a broader demographic, from families to varied age groups, catering to the evolving preferences for more engaging and culturally rich travel experiences.
Exoticca’s strategic collaboration with Atas signifies a forward momentum in enhancing its engagement with UK travel agents and amplifying its market presence.
