Luxury all-inclusive hotel specialists Sandals and Beaches Resorts, both part of Sandals Resorts International, will launch to the trade a new fully protected UK tour operator under the name of Unique Caribbean Holidays.

The new venture will debut on April 10th.

The move sees Sandals and Beaches Resorts selling fully protected Luxury Included holidays directly to trade for the first time.

Karl Thompson, managing director for Sandals & Beaches Resorts in the UK & Europe, commented: “Our relationship with our trade partners has always been at the forefront of our UK business model and therefore setting up as a tour operator was a natural step for us to further develop closer and more meaningful commercial and marketing partnerships.”

Commercial agreements are already in place with key travel agency groups and the news has received high praise from the industry.

Global Travel Group commercial director, Cherie Richards, commented: “We have worked with Sandals for many years and are thrilled that they will also be operating as a UK tour operator dealing directly with agents.

“Here at The Global Travel Group our members have benefited from the long standing relationship with Sandals and we are looking forward to strengthening the relationship further.”

Sandals and Beaches’ investment in bespoke technology, via a new booking engine developed with leading travel technology provider Traveltek, will allow for travel agents to book online – two years in advance if needed, as well manage their bookings with access to a flight and price availability calendar, thanks to the advanced functionality.

UCHL will also have a 24 hour helpline and bespoke agent portal.

The marketing and commercial partnership with tour operator Funway Holidays changes as of April 2017, as their licence agreement expires then.

The Sandals & Beaches (UCHL) brochure will be hitting shelves on April 10th.