Bevan launches online travel club in UK

Former lastminute.com UK managing director John Bevan has launched the UK arm of France-based online travel club Voyage Prive.

Former lastminute.com UK managing director John Bevan has launched the UK arm of France-based online travel club Voyage Prive.

The luxury travel club, which is free to join, was soft-launched here last year and already has close to 100,000 members. It aims to expand this to 500,000 by the end of the year.

Voyage Prive officially launches in the UK today offering exclusive discounts of up to 70% on a range of luxury holidays through ‘flash sales’, which last five days.

Bevan, who joined earlier this month, explained: “Voyage Prive caters for a growing number of people who want inspiration and great value when booking holidays.

“We know that most people visit numerous websites and spend hours online researching where to go.

“We cut through the clutter with our handpicked selection and are the first to offer the flash sale model here.”

Each week members are sent offers that Bevan claims are unbeatable.

“Because we are a closed user group we are able to negotiate exclusive deals from tour operators and hotel groups who are able to be more flexible with their pricing without risking price parity or their brand,” he said.

Voyage Prive acts as an agent but holds its own Atol. It will be joining Abta shortly.

Bevan hopes to offer up to 20 deals per flash sell and is aiming for sales of £8 million this year and £25 million in 2011.