Travel deals publisher HolidayPirates is moving into virtual tour operating with a phased rollout across Europe this year.
A soft launch in Italy came first followed by the Netherlands last month and now the company will gradually extend flight plus hotel packages on its sites in the coming months.
David Armstrong, chief executive of the company, shared the news during an interview at Phocuswright Europe 2023 in Barcelona in June and described the move as the "next logical step" for HolidayPirates.
He added that the shift in business model will not only improve margins but give the company more control of the entire experience.
Armstrong went on to discuss the company's ongoing strategy of using social channels to engage with its millennial and Gen Z audiences rather than trying to attract consumers via paid advertising channels such as Google.
He also touched on a recent partnership with Tourism Ireland and how HolidayPirates is positioning itself to help tourist boards market destinations.
Watch the full interview in the PhocusWire studio below:
Phocuswright Europe 2023 Executive Interview: Holiday Pirates