A first GDS agreement for leading UK OTA On the Beach has seen it extend its long-haul product.
On The Beach adds long-haul destinations following Travelport deal
A first GDS agreement for leading UK OTA On the Beach has seen it extend its long-haul product.
Traditionally a Mediterranean beach specialist, the Manchester-based agent has struck a GDS deal with Travelport.
This is allowing it to enhance its product offering by giving it access to flying to more far fling destinations like Thailand and Florida.
The retailer has also added significant capacity to cater for its hotel portfolio in Dubai, saying it is meeting demand for guaranteed sunshine.
On the Beach is working with Travelport to provide access to over 48,000 flights across the three long haul destinations.
The introduction of these new destinations is part of the company’s expansion plans for 2014 and will mean the online travel agent will carry over one million customers this year.
Alistair Daly, chief marketing officer for On the Beach, said:
“2014 is an exciting year for On the Beach, we have already seen a 65% increase on last year’s bookings and with our new Travelport partnership we can offer a greater breadth and depth of beach holidays.
“Expanding our long haul proposition is a natural extension to our great value holiday service and reaffirms our position as the beach holiday specialist.”
On The Beach rival Travel Republic has itself been increasing its long-haul offering through a deal struck at the end of last year with Gold Medal.
The OTA and flights consolidator and long-haul tour operator are to become sister operations following a deal for Dubai-based dnata to buy Gold Medal from Thomas Cook.
