Domestic operator Caledonian Leisure is targeting further growth in 2022 after outperforming its business plan in its first year and reporting bookings coming in “at pace”.
The company, which comprises coach specialist Caledonian Travel and hotel breaks operator UKBreakaways.com, plans to strengthen its retail presence this year and is poised to launch a multichannel marketing campaign to raise awareness of both of its brands to drive sales further.
New travel centres at Gateshead Metro Interchange and Hull Paragon Interchange are set to open soon and several more are planned during the year.
The company, founded in April 2021, said it has outperformed its first year business plan, with growth driven by expansion of the Caledonian Travel brand beyond Scotland into northern England.
This has included new coach departure points across the north-east and Yorkshire, supported by the opening of travel centres in Glasgow, Middlesbrough and Wakefield.
Managing director Graham Rogers said: “Beating our first-year projections during a challenging climate was very satisfying. We’re eager to build on this success and have ambitious plans to accelerate our growth in 2022.
“Holiday bookings for the coming year have started at a pace and we are already well ahead of our intake budgets, so we’re on course for another highly successful year.”
He said the company was “continually innovating” its coach breaks across the UK, Ireland and Scotland and expanding its product range to include family attractions, live sporting events, West End shows and concerts.
Rogers added: “The key to our success is our ability to deliver exceptional products to our customers at sensational value.”
The company won a 2022 Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award, based on customer reviews and feedback. Commercial director Martin Lock said its £10 deposit offer, combined with an independent, audited trust fund to protect clients’ money until after travel, had proved an “invaluable message” to customers and helped build confidence in the brand.
He reiterated earlier messages that travel agents had played a “key part” in its first-year and thanked agents for “supporting us since day one”, adding: “Over the past year we’ve developed many great relationships with trade partners who understand the UK short breaks market, and have established a model that delivers mutual benefits.
“Their experience, engagement and knowledge has been pivotal to delivering this award-winning experience to our customers, not to mention the hotels, attractions and venues we work closely with.”
The company was set up by National Holidays’ former senior management team and is backed by a mulit-million pound investment from venture capital trusts, outperformed its first year business plans.