Kuoni has added two partner stores to its portfolio.
The addition of Feherty Travel and TravelLab will bring the tour operator’s portfolio of partner stores to 12.
Feherty Travel will be the first Kuoni partner store in northern Ireland, while TravelLab’s new store in Macclesfield, Cheshire, is due to open in the late summer.
Both agencies remain fully independent but will receive a marketing budget from Kuoni, along with in-store point of sale materials, training on Kuoni products at the operator’s new central Dorking head office and places on educationals. They will be featured on the back of Kuoni brochures as well as on the operator’s website, where clients can book appointments with them direct.
The move secures distribution in new areas and strengthens its relationships with trade partners, according to Kuoni.
National sales manager Brad Bennetts said: “The strategy that we have with our partner stores is strong and continues to work. These new investments that we are making are all about working hand-in-hand and sharing best-practice to build more business together.”
Feherty Travel in Bangor, County Down, has seven staff and has been operating for 45 years.
Managing director Scott Parker said: “We share the same customer service values and passion for travel as Kuoni and have a loyal base of customers looking for premium holidays worldwide, making this partnership a natural fit.”
TravelLab’s Macclesfield partner store will be its second branch. It already has a branch in Frodsham, Cheshire.
The new store will be located over three floors, with the ground floor dedicated to Kuoni and used as an adventure travel and touring centre, a cruise centre and a Canada and USA centre.
The store will also have a lounge area for customers to have a drink while surrounded by artefacts from around the world, and an event space on the top floor.
Managing director Jai Porter said: “After a prosperous relationship with Kuoni over the years it felt like the right move to turn our brand new branch into a Kuoni partner store. Situated on trendy Chestergate we plan to make it a vibrant and edgy place where customers will want to come and be inspired by our team of experienced travel consultants.”