Daily Express launches own travel agent
The Daily Express has begun operating as a travel agency, which will trade under the banner of Express Travelshop, in the hope of adding loyalty to its circulation.
The full travel service follows the signing of a three-year deal between the Daily Express and Travelcare, part of the Co-operative Group.
Express Travelshop will provide a range of exclusive travel and holiday offers to readers, as well as acting as a travel agent to compete with others in the high street.
Initially, readers will be restricted to making their holiday bookings by telephone, but an Express Holiday Shop website is being developed.
Travel offers will be advertised daily in the newspaper and Travelcare’s service for Daily Express readers will eventually be extended for readers of other Northern & Shell titles, including the Daily Star and OK! magazine.
Travelcare national sales development manager David Wilkinson says: “Travelcare is independent and not tied to any airline or operator, so we can offer a wide choice of great-value holidays and travel options for readers.”
Express Newspapers group sales development controller Robert Avery claims the Express Travelshop will be the most comprehensive travel service in the market.