New tour operator Windows on the Wild Luxe is hoping to grow a ‘shortlist’ of agent partners to work closely with over the next year.

Founder Maggi Smit (pictured) said she wanted to form a strong group of trade partners as she predicted 30% to 40% of new business to come through travel agents.

The tour operator, which specialises in luxury wilderness and adventure holidays, has a dedicated contact tab for the trade on its website and is able to offer Zoom training to agents - either as a shop, group or one-on-one.

“We’re very knowledgeable on all the areas we work on and we’d hope to be able to help travel agents in whatever they need to do,” Smit added.

Windows on the Wild Luxe launched earlier this year as an extension to wildlife and adventure operator Windows on the Wild, which Smit founded in 1989.

Smit, who also owns operators America As You Like It, Canada As You Like It and Go Fishing Worldwide, said the new dedicated luxury brand had been born from a growing collection of clients looking for ‘softer’ adventure, with more of a focus on high end travel and luxury hotels.

The tour operator is currently served by a team of seven and will be based at the group’s Chiswick office.

Smit said the launch of Windows on the Wild Luxe had been received well by the trade and existing clients, despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

“We have got a lot of bookings (booked under sister brand Windows on the Wild) from May and June this year brought forward from last year so we're waiting to see in the next couple of weeks if people will be able to start travelling soon,” she said.

“Certainly, people seem to want to travel, there's no doubt about that. There's definitely demand there.”

Travel agents interested in training or working with Windows on the Wild Luxe should visit windowsonthewildluxe.com.