Former Attraction World managing director Paul Stobbs now heads the new sister brand, whilst retaining an active involvement in Attraction World as group chief executive. In addition, Tony Seaman will take on day-to-day responsibilities for brand and product within Days Out With The Kids but will also act as chief operating officer at a group level.
Seaman said Attraction World, which he co-owns, would mark its 10th anniversary this year and had needed to diversify with a consumer-branded product - one that was not subject to world events and currency fluctuations.
“The UK was an obvious fit,” he said. “It gives us the opportunity to take the business up to £100 million in the next 18 months, at the moment we’re at just over £75 million.”
Seaman added that while Days Out With The Kids was currently “more of an information site”, bookable product would eventually be added that agents would be able to access.
The management changes see Simon Applebaum promoted to the role of managing director, leading the 60 strong staff. Applebaum joined Attraction World in 2013 as head of marketing and was previously with Thomas Cook.
Nick Hughes becomes sales and marketing director, also having been within the business for more than six years.
Applebaum added: “I’m very excited to be taking Attraction World forward with an incredible leadership team alongside me. We’ve long been the travel trade’s favourite tours, excursions and attractions provider and we’re incredibly motivated about our plans for the future which include continued international expansion, a large investment in our platforms for agents, improving our already impressive product offering and taking our revenues to record levels over the coming years.”
Attraction World said the changes would help it become the UK’s “primary site for visitor attractions”.
It operates in more than 60 countries and offers more than 5,000 attraction ticket packages. All its products are offered via e-ticket, allowing bookings right up until the day of departure.
