Teletext deal makes sole partner Truly ‘one of largest agents in the UK’

Teletext deal makes sole partner Truly ‘one of largest agents in the UK’

Teletext Holidays has agreed a deal that will see it work with only one supplier of package deals to its holiday comparison service.

Teletext Holidays has agreed a deal that will see it work with only one supplier of package deals to its holiday comparison service.


An announcement today (Friday) said the deal struck with Truly Travel, a member of the Travel Trust Association, will be worth £180 million in terms of bookings 2014.


It means it will no longer work with the 14 other suppliers it currently promotes, including the likes of Qwerty Travel, Lowcost Travel Group and Hays Travel.


Daniel Taylor, managing director of Teletext Holidays said: “We have been through a very thorough tender process this year, and in Truly have found a partner with a shared vision for the future.


“We believe this partnership will enable Teletext to deliver on its promise to deliver great value holidays to consumers, and will allow us to support continued investment into technology and marketing.”


Kumar Edara, managing director of Truly Travel added: “We have a long-standing relationship with Teletext Holidays and we understand their strength in the market.


“Through this deal we become one of the largest travel agents in the UK which will enable us to deliver the very best value holidays.”


The switch in strategy comes less than two months after Teletext started a retendering process indicating that the number and breadth of suppliers it works with could increase.


The deadline for tender documents to be submitted passed in October and it was planned that the new partners would go live at the beginning of January.


Teletext has seen a number of changes in recent years under previous managing director Victoria Sanders and new boss Taylor, who was appointed in March.


Sanders led a root and branch modernisation of Teletext, prompted by the demise of its old analogue television platform, taking it online and onto digital television.


More controversially she oversaw a significant culling of trade partners from over 50 to 15 in 2011, aimed at offering them a better service and customers more quality-assured deals.


In December 2011 the Daily Mail and General Trust relinquished overall control when Teletext Holidays chairman Chris Letcher took a majority stake.


Harrow-based Truly Travel operates a number of brands including Truly Holidays and specialises in DIY holidays as well as working with major package providers.


It provides Atol-protected trips through its membership of the TTA.