Exodus, TrekAmerica switch

EVOLUTION Travel Collective, the new representation venture formed by ex-Intrepid GM of Sales, Pete Rawley (TD 16 Oct), will look after Exodus, TrekAmerica and Grand American Adventures in the Australasian market effective from 01 Dec.

The three brands, all part of the UK-based Travelopia portfolio of specialist travel brands sold by TUI to a private equity firm in 2017, were previously managed under a GSA agreement by Adventure World.

However Adventure World’s new agreement with Explore Worldwide (TD 17 Oct) has seen an amicable parting of the ways for the Travelopia brands.

Rawley said the addition of the globally renowned brands was a significant vote of confidence in his newly formed business.

“We are absolutely thrilled that these market-leading brands within their sector have joined us in our commitment to innovate and grow this space,” he said.

Exodus GM Australia/NZ Louisa Day said the Evolution model had a huge upside for travel agents.

“With all enquiries coming back to our own local Australian reservation team, rather than via a third party, the opportunity for agents to talk with expert staff will no doubt produce better conversion and support,” she said.

Day said with Exodus having been in the local market for 20 years, the big shift moving forward was to showcase the brand “in a way this market has not previously seen”.

TrekAmerica and Grand American Adventures Regional Sales & Marketing Manager Joseph Wyunes said the opportunity to bring the specialist Americas products to the forefront of agents’ minds was “a really exciting element of this new partnership”.