MARKET OVERVIEW

Wholesalers/Direct Sell Operators
There are over 100 tour operators selling Australia in their programs throughout the UK, and the
top 10 account for some 80% of the leisure travel market to Australia. There are a number of
wholesalers who sell Australia through a traditional distribution system relying on retail agencies,
either their own branded agencies or independents, to sell the product contained in their
brochures. Direct sell operators and brands are a key feature of the UK market and are still an
important part of Australia distribution although the actual number of specialists is dwindling as a
result of industry consolidation.
Top 10 UK Agents/Operators
Company Presence Latest Market Intelligence
TUI
Austravel &
Travelmood
brands
Moved from direct sell to
wholesale only brand
Closed all retail outlets which were re-branded
as Travelmood, and during 2010 are closing all
Travelmood outlets completely. Austravel
product now wholesaled through TUI high street
retail shops. Travelmood will remain a brand
with a retail outlet in Ireland only. ITOs -AOT &
direct.
Flight
Centre
Retailer - c100 shops, head
office New Malden, Surrey
FC has consolidated its position further in the
UK market as one of the leading specialist
retailers for Australia. Now operating a number
of sub brands including Round the World Travel
Experts, Infinity (wholesaler) and Flight Centre.
ITOs - Infinity & ATS.
Gold Medal National wholesaler based
in Preston (NW England),
with direct sell online
brand Netflights
Now fully owned by Thomas Cook. Gold Medal
has taken over responsibility for TC’s Flight
Savers unit. Expect further integration with TC.
ITOs –global product buy.
17 UK & Ireland 2010