EARLIER this year industry veteran Hanan Bakar launched what he calls the region’s first ‘real’ package tour operator aiming to bring European-style budget holiday travel to the mid-scale mass market with a first brochure offering 23 destinations starting at just $351 for a trip to Turkey.
With plans to attract a million GCC travellers a year within five years and aiming to offer deals up to 50 per cent cheaper than some of the existing operators, TTN spoke to the Holiday Factory CEO about his vision.
What made you decide to start Holiday Factory?
The UAE is a huge, unexplored, promising outbound market and we want to capitalise on this growing segment by providing travellers with inspirational ideas and user-friendly tools for a tailored vacation. There is an ever growing mid-level income group that offers potential for businesses. We studied the market and realised that this segment wants to travel but there weren’t enough affordable options available to them. Most travel agencies offer packages that are expensive compared to those in other markets making it possible only for a few to afford them. Holiday Factory can bridge the gap that currently exists in the market without compromising on quality.
What will the company be offering?
We offer a real package which always includes return flights, hotel, return airport transfers and the services of a tour representative. The starting price of our introductory offer to Istanbul costs as little as Dh1,290 ($351) which just goes to prove what’s possible.
The system of affordable package holidays called ‘mass’ tourism revolutionised the travel industry and has been available to the European and other markets for more than 40 years. The UAE is experiencing it for the first time.
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You are a few months in now, what has been the reaction so far?
Our sectors include Europe including Turkey, Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary. Asian destinations feature India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia while Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan are included in the Middle East region. Not forgetting the romantic Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles featuring in the Indian Ocean section. Whether it’s a family holiday, a cultural experience or a city break, Holiday Factory has options to match everyone’s expectations. Travel in any season, any day and the prices will still be affordable.
We are overwhelmed with the way the people of the UAE have had confidence in us. We feel honoured to cater to the ever growing mid-level income group and assist them in their travel needs. During the present difficult times, customers are more judicious in choosing their holidays and look for one that fits their pocket without compromising on quality. We received an astounding positive response from customers for our introductory offer to Istanbul.
How are you working with the region’s travel agents?
The travel trade as a distribution channel is very important to us. We believe in a one-to-one relationship between the customer and the travel agent. As much as we would like to, we cannot possibly have a physical presence at every residence pocket or catchment area. Hence, the travel agents will offer the packages on our behalf and we jointly work with them. We are planning to take them through our product through informative and interactive seminars, workshops etc in the coming weeks. Familiarisation trips will also be organised where they’ll experience firsthand the difference of holidaying with us. I could say that we see 85 to 90 per cent of our business coming from travel agents.
Are there any plans to open in other centres outside Dubai?
Yes, there are but at the moment we are focusing on the UAE and putting in our best efforts to emerge as the most preferred and affordable tour operator.