Taking place 25-28 April and set to host agents for a range of business-forward and inspirational sessions, the Carrier Retreat will also showcase many changes at the resort following major investment over this year.

“The Retreat is unique in its content and the bonds that we forge – this can be genuinely life changing for those who come,” said Lee Marshall, head of trade partnerships. 

“We will be assessing how we bring people to the event too, with a revenue threshold for existing ‘retreaters’, along with a sales incentive to bring new people on the journey with us. We think the Retreat is unique in the luxury space.”

Marshall also shared there would be a new series of pre-recorded ‘in-conversation with’ product updates available for agents, as well as Carrier Connect days in-person at the tour operator’s office in Didsbury in June and November.

He revealed that its A-List event is also leaving its previous home of Bafta to move to Sopwell House in Hertfordshire on 20 March for the first time.

He added stays for “the most coveted event on the luxury calendar” would be substantially subsidised, with a day of connection followed by the evening awards. Agents can also look forward to a calendar of “elevated” educational trips, the details of which will be announced in January.

In other news, Carrier will welcome 50 agents into its new programme, Luxury Specialist Endorsed by Carrier, details of which were revealed at its second annual Carrier Summit at the Bulgari in London on Wednesday. 

Against a backdrop of a plethora of new entrants to travel, Carrier’s sales and commercial director Rick Milne said the company had used feedback from its top agents to form what it says they told him was needed – endorsement.

“There are lots of ways of low-cost entry to the industry now, alongside the growth of the gig economy and growth in side hustles, and all of this has made becoming an agent look like an easy option,” said Milne. “But there is a big gulf between the luxury agents who have worked hard and new entrants – agents told us they need a way to stand out for their service and experience, this is it.”

The elite group of endorsed agents will be inducted from 17 December and the group will have access to digital assets and press releases to help them spread their word ahead of Peaks.

The Summit also saw Carrier managing director Natasha Towey  sharee updates on the travel brand’s key purpose: “Our three words are beauty, brilliance and kindness – and that represents everyone here today too. These are values embedded in our business as part of the vision of the company we want to be.

“We are driven to go above and beyond even when there is no financial reason to do so. Our purpose is to create a more beautiful world and a kinder world – this is what gets us out of bed. We’re committed to creating a beautiful life for you and your clients.”

Agents were also introduced to The Agenda, Carrier’s new Peaks campaign arranged by travel season. It provides inspiring content and a suite of assets to help them create “meaningful journeys for a beautiful future, designed to set the tone for the year” and make things easier, more inspiring, and more profitable.

The Agenda also includes details of new hotel openings, seasonal ideas, family tips, and events to curate a calendar, with in-the-know expert recommendations, anchored around 80 “exceptional ideas”.

Byanne Akbor, Carrier’s head of marketing, said: “The choices we have made on what to include come from two years of data around what is popular at each time of year which will help ensure a strong conversion for agents. The Agenda’s full suite of marketing support will help spark ideas and start the high value conversations. A third of our business for the year ahead will come during this time, and we will take the care and time to make peaks count for agents.”

Carrier’s head of product Rebecca Turner also shared product enhancements for the year ahead: “We have the history of three years of bookings made during January-March that we can tap into, and 75% of bookings in that time were made for beach holidays, so we have upweighted our options around that.”

Turner added that Carrier’s new Limitless range – which was created with the travel needs and passions of UHNW specifically in mind – will launch part two in March, with a range of ideas focused on exclusivity and privacy, with a minimum price of £60,000.

“Bookings of the £60-100,000 value are up by 45% year on year – so data tells us demand is there for these large, creative bookings and Limitless reflects that,” Turner added.

Launching Q3 will also be a focus on a new collection of restorative and regenerative travel – not just another wellness campaign, from solo travel to farm stays to focus on “meaningful, authentic experiences that will have impact”.