Speaking at the operator’s first Classic Awards trade event, held near Birmingham on Thursday (17 March), head of finance James Rudd said the collaboration with the ICS was part of the company’s wider strategy to "put expertise at the heart of our growth".

The ICS is an independent body and will work alongside Classic to advise on its agent training and support services as the company grows its business within the trade.

“We want to make sure the customer service, all the way through is at the level [agents] expect, and we expect,” Rudd added.

As part of its aim to improve service, Classic will look to increase the speed of quotes, turnaround times, and introduce new channels in which to engage and communicate with customers, such as WhatsApp.

Meanwhile, Classic chief executive Oliver Garner explained to agents how the operator had recently grown its range of destinations after expanding into long-haul in 2020.

Garner said the operator was now able to offer 23 long-haul destinations.

Classic has also launched a new destination brochure to enable agents and customers to learn more about its most popular destinations, with dedicated editions focusing on the Maldives, Caribbean and Thailand.