An agent has expanded to his own premises in Whitley Bay after gaining nearly 10 years’ experience managing his wife Pam’s family-run travel agency, Destinations by George.
Destinations by John, situated in what was once the town’s Tui store, will host a launch party at the weekend after setting up, like Destinations by George, under Barrhead Travel’s managed service travel partners division, Brilliant Travel.
The store, which is around a 10-minute walk from its Monkseaton sister shop, comes complete with a kids’ play area called Oscar’s Den, named after founder John Dixon’s grandson Oscar and featuring some genuine former airliner seats.
“The decision to expand my travel business during the most turbulent period in travel history was a risk, to say the least," said Dixon. "However, I had no doubt the love affair we have with travel is never-ending. With this in mind, I needed to keep pushing and hoping – and I believe it’s what pulled me through the darkness of 2020."
Dixon added: "The support me and my wife received while working for Destinations by George meant I knew I would be in the best hands with Brilliant Travel to take this next step in my career.
"The family values really align with what Destinations by John is all about and so it felt right. I can’t thank the team at Brilliant Travel enough for supporting my family through the past year, and helping me achieve my own travel dreams.”
Brilliant Travel director Linda Pyle added: "Having witnessed the expertise he has developed with Destinations by George, and with our dynamic package offering and solid support system, I believe he will achieve every success in his new venture."