Insider Journeys joins Atas as sales resume
Small group tours specialist Insider Journeys will become a member of the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers in January.
It is joining the trade body because it aims to resume sales early in January as destinations around the world open up.
Mark Hopper, sales director for the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, said: “Atas will provide a platform to re-introduce our brand back into the UK market.
“The UK market has always been an important market for us and we are committed to offering small group journeys and second-to-none experiences to our UK agents.
“Our products fit every part of the touring and adventure sector, so it is very important to us.”
The operator has been in business for more than 25 years and was originally known as Travel Indochina because it specialised in that region of Asia.
In 2015, it changed its name to Insider Journeys to reflect the broader range of destinations it offered and to convey its mission “to provide unique travel experiences which are seen through the eyes of a local insider”.
For 2022, the operator offers holidays across Asia, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
“Showcasing our new and old product will be key through Atas,” added Hopper.
“We can provide webinars with our DMC [destination management company] partners and offer excellent rates of commission. We have many plans for fam trips.”
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The operator’s UK office has been operating since 2005, supporting the headquarters in Sydney, Australia.
An improved UK website was launched recently to tap into increasing demand from the British market.
Hopper has more than 35 years of experience at senior levels in the travel sector, having worked for brands such as Hayes & Jarvis, Getabed, Sunhotels and Portaventura.
He has a wide range of contacts in UK agency consortia, tour operators, DMCs and tourist boards.
The operator’s group tours have a maximum of 16 travellers, and it offers free cancellations up to 14 days before departure, for departures before March 31, 2022.
Claire Brighton, Atas account director, commented: “It’s great news to hear that Insider Journeys will resume sales in 2022 after such turmoil during the pandemic.
“Its membership of Atas will give it unrivalled access to travel agents who specialise in touring and adventure holidays to the destinations that it offers. And our agent members will welcome another member who can support them with training and fam trips as the sector looks to a brighter recovery next year.”