Managing director Jhy Worsnop-Hesford, who as an entrepreneur relaunched the brand last autumn, said the company would instead “shift our focus” to introduce a Florida specialist brand and concentrate on growing its network of homeworkers.
Back in September, Worsnop-Hesford told TTG that despite initially trading as an agent selling other operators’ product, he intended to add new Kosmar programmes to Greece, Turkey and Spain, with Cyprus and Croatia to follow by 2020.
“In September and October, we thought a solid exit deal would be on the table and I was really excited to start to roll out our programmes – looking at December to begin running them,” he told TTG.
“It’s frustrating, as the buzz from the trade around bringing the brand back was great, but it’s part of running a travel business and you need to be able to adapt.”
Worsnop-Hesford said he currently did not have a date in place for reviving the tour operation.
“Europe’s going to be turbulent for some time and we’d need consumer confidence for Europe to come back,” he explained.
As part of its drive to “diversify” away from Europe, Kosmar will launch its own Florida travel agent, Florida Travel Shop, in Q2 of this year, selling US specialist operators directly.
“We’ve had so many enquiries for Florida and we want to grow that more,” said Worsnop-Hesford.
Kosmar will also boost its ranks of homeworking agents, with Worsnop-Hesford targeting the recruitment of five per month – adding to the eight currently working for the firm.
“We’ve had some great agents join us who have so much industry experience,” he said. “I’m also looking at taking on a manager for the homeworking arm of the business as we continue to grow.”
