Oasis on Wednesday (6 April) confirmed it had acquired Warrenpoint-based Travellers Secrets. Managing director Sandra Corkin told TTG that Oasis planned to increase the store’s focus on high-end product and cruise, and would seek to maintain – and build on – Travellers Secrets’ strong relationship with the local community.

"We are going to bring some high-end product to the store," Corkin said. "They do already have a range of high-end options available, but we are going to grow the high-end and grow the cruise product.

"In that area, there is a lot of really good business available, and there aren’t too many agents in the nearby towns who sell cruise so we see it as a big opportunity. We want to go out with a big cruise message. The customers that come in are lovely, and there is a friendly atmosphere in the store. That’s where we see a big opportunity for growth."

Corkin said the acquisition had been "in the works" for a couple of months. "I am quite excited about it," she continued. "It is definitely something to look forward to, it is a very nice town and they are the only travel agency there so there is a lot of potential.

"It is a busy time at the moment. They have a strong and very loyal customer base, which is really positive and something we will look to grow. We want to support them and market with them a bit more, and bring some of the products we sell to them."

Two new employees will join the agency in the coming weeks, one of whom will be making a return to the travel industry after leaving the sector during the pandemic.

"It is really nice that there’s somebody who has decided to come back to the industry, especially after the past two years," said Corkin. "It is very positive to see. Hopefully, as the industry recovers, more people decide to make the move back."

Oasis’s Belfast store was named as Northern Ireland’s top travel agency at TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2021, while its Lisburn store made this year’s Top 50.

The firm’s project manager, Scott McCabe, was also awarded the Visit Florida Ray of Sunshine accolade at this year’s Top 50 ceremony last month.