Travel Department has joined the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) as part of its strategy to raise its profile in the UK market.
Founded in Ireland in 1996, the escorted tours and group travel specialist began courting the UK trade in 2023, initially working with Barrhead in Scotland, followed by partnerships with Oasis Travel in Northern Ireland and several Aito agents in England.
It is also expanding internationally, selling its product to the Canadian and Australian markets.
Chief executive James Coughlan (pictured) said: “Atas is a fantastic vehicle in which to showcase the benefits of escorted tours to agents as well as being able to assist them with growing their knowledge and skills to help customers make informed choices about their next tour.
“We want to ensure that agents are aware of our award-winning product range, competitive price point and fantastic net promoter scores, so they can offer Travel Department as a favourable alternative to more established operators within the UK market.
“We’d like to think that Atas can help in raising our profile and as a result we can become an integral part of an agent’s supplier portfolio.”
Coughlan said the UK market is growing “exponentially” for the firm, with agents “playing a leading role”.
“Their insight is invaluable as we look to gain further share within the market and we are actively looking at new distribution channels in which to appeal to a wider agent audience,” he added.
He said the touring sector is in the company’s “DNA”.
‘It has been for nearly 30 years and has enabled us to become the recognised leader in global escorted tours within the Irish market,” he continued.
“The sector is growing globally in size and awareness is increasing within the UK and Ireland markets, aided by member organisations such as Atas who have put the sector on the map.”
He said the UK market is currently “leaning towards more late bookings”, adding: “We took a strategic approach in increasing our forward booking profile for 2025 and this has enabled us to be in a strong position coming into the spring/summer months, and – like most operators – feel that the next four-to-six weeks is going to shape the forward outlook for the remainder of the year.
“We are seeing a lot more long-haul and river cruise demand, and we are well placed to service any spikes in this range for the balance of year and into 2026.”
Travel Department’s portfolio ranges from European tours of seven to 10 nights to long-haul itineraries, active holidays, short breaks, tailormade tours for small groups, solos travel and river cruise.
Coughlan continued: “Whilst the Easter trading period was slightly down year-on-year, overall volumes and revenue are up on last year and in line with our objectives, so overall we still are confident that we will have a successful H2 and deliver on our aspirations for the business.”
The operator has a dedicated agent booking portal, and offers agents marketing collateral, fam trips and incentives.
Claire Brighton, Atas director, said: “The team at Atas is thrilled to welcome Travel Department on board.
“They offer such a wide range of tours to destinations around the world that they will be a great addition to our membership and I’m looking forward to finding out lots more about their team and products.”
