HOLIDAY Tours will merge into
kulula holidays from July 8,
ceasing to exist as a standalone
brand after 38 years in the market.
“Through the consolidation of brands
and resources, the business can
now focus on marketing one brand to
strengthen its existing market share
and increase the kulula footprint,”
says Brian Kitchin, Comair executive
manager of sales.
Holiday Tours, which was established
in 1977 by Gavin Simpson, was bought
by Comair in 2011, “with the intention
of going this route,” Brian says.
What does this mean for travel
agents?
Holiday Tours’ product, team and
back office processes will remain the
same – only through a new interface,
Brian says. He adds: “Agencies with
deals in place won’t be affected. The
only change will be that when these
are up for renewal, they will fall under
the kulula holidays brand.”
Agents will also benefit from kulula’s
stronger buying power, resulting in
more competitive pricing for their
clients, Brian says. “Kulula has
always been a well-known customer
facing brand. We can now leverage
the airline’s economies of scale with
the kulula marketing engine to drive
kulula holidays’ brand awareness.
Traditionally, kulula has had a lot
more volume, carrying millions of
passengers a year and, as a result,
more negotiating power compared to
Holiday Tours.”
The amalgamated brand will boast
an increase in destination offerings,
including a wider range of international
products as well as access to real
time domestic and regional packages.
“We plan to keep building our product
offering, adding more punch to
Thailand, the Americas and Europe,”
Brian says.
Existing travel agents will be able to
access the new and improved booking
portal – www.holiday.kulula.com – using
their Holiday Tours log-in details.
