South Shields agenct Westoe Travel has been granted tour operator membership by Abta so it can package its own rail and coach holidays.
The move follows the demise of some of the UK’s best-loved domestic operators, including Super Break, Shearings and National Holidays.
With Covid-19 likely to restrict overseas travel this summer, Westoe Travel wants to ensure it has product available to tap into a likely increase in demand for domestic breaks.
It comes just a week after Westoe was crowned TTG’s 2020 Top Travel Agency in the North East.
"We are very conscious there will be an increased demand for UK breaks over the next 12 months," director Graeme Brett told TTG.
"Sadly, we have seen the loss of some iconic travel brands in the last few months. We want to make sure we have a wide range of product of offer our customers.
"As a result, we now have an additional tour operator membership with Abta that will allow us to package rail and coach holidays."
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Brett confirmed Westoe would continue to work with other UK and domestic tour operators as agent, and would not look to compete with them – just "fill the gaps" left by the loss of Super Break, Shearings and National.
"This is a really exciting time for us, and we are confident we will have the best possible range of products for our customers wanting UK Breaks," Brett added.