InteleTravel’s acquisition of Major Travel signifies a strategic move to strengthen the UK’s travel industry.
- This acquisition aims to enhance competitiveness for UK agents against direct-sell operators.
- Major Travel plans to expand its team significantly by the year’s end.
- The integration with InteleTravel will boost revenue and profit margins for UK and Irish agents.
- The acquisition supports InteleTravel’s vision to dominate the UK travel market.
InteleTravel has strategically acquired a majority stake in Major Travel, positioning itself to enhance the competitive landscape for UK travel agents. This move is specifically aimed at empowering agents to better compete with direct-sell operators. The acquisition, whose value remains undisclosed, promises to extend significant benefits to both entities.
Major Travel, established as a prominent operator with an Atol licence for 11,877 passengers annually, is embarking on a recruitment drive intending to double its workforce by December. Recording a gross retail turnover of £25 million for the year ending March 2023, the London-based operator continues to evolve from its origins as an air consolidator and North America specialist to a more comprehensive tailor-made operator.
The strategic investment from InteleTravel is designed to allow Major Travel to grow substantially while maintaining its operational independence. According to InteleTravel, the acquisition will leverage its global agent community, thereby enhancing buying power and securing exclusive supplier contracts. This economic advantage is poised to enable UK agents to outpace direct-sell competitors, delivering unmatched benefits for all associated travel agents.
Additionally, InteleTravel plans to incorporate Major Travel’s premium and luxury offerings into its own booking platforms, potentially opening novel revenue avenues and enhancing profit margins for its vast community of 20,000 agents across the UK and Ireland. The integration is expected to reshape the operational dynamics of InteleTravel, reinforcing its market position.
Qasim Gulamhusein, Major Travel’s Managing Director, retains his stake in the company and continues to lead, safeguarding the current team. Gulamhusein articulated a compelling vision aimed at establishing Major Travel as the leading trade-exclusive tour operator in the UK within the next five years. His strategy includes broadening product range and leveraging expanded buying power to secure better rates with global airlines and hotels.
James Ferrara, Co-founder and President of InteleTravel, emphasised that the aim is to form a robust integrated model in the UK travel landscape, spotlighting Major Travel as a pivotal entity in this ambition. Ferrara reassures existing partners that the focus remains on reinforcing growth opportunities rather than diverting current revenue streams.
Looking ahead, Major Travel is set to launch operations in Ireland in 2024 and plans a full-scale North American launch by 2025. InteleTravel, boasting a network of 110,000 agents worldwide, seeks to solidify its international presence, suggesting potential growth in market share and influence in the coming years.
The acquisition marks a decisive step in reshaping the competitive framework of the UK’s travel sector, highlighting a forward-thinking strategy by InteleTravel and Major Travel.
