The Travel Division within the Heart of England Co-operative Society is spreading its wings with the launch of its own tour operation with a range of summer holiday packages to some of the most popular overseas destinations among UK holidaymakers.

The new brochure features holidays for Summer 2010 to all the favourite getaways including the Balearics, Cyprus, mainland Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Egypt, Florida and Mexico.

The holidays are suitable for everyone, whether couples or a family.

Deals include:

• Conveniently timed flights for the majority of departures
• 20kg luggage allowance on all flights
• Range of regional airport departures with low flight supplements
• Free child places
• £1 donation to the Travel Foundation for every passenger
• Clear, honest and open pricing
• In-resort representation and 24-hour service cover via telephone

Bryan Wheatley, General Manager of the Society’s Non-Food and Travel Division, said: “UK holidaymakers have trusted The Co-operative Travel to organise their holidays for many years, so it is a logical progression for us to offer a holiday that is solely ours.

“The destinations and resorts have been nominated and recommended by our extensive network of holiday consultants, and throughout the brochure they add their personal experience of each to the comprehensive review of the facilities.

“We talked at length to our customers whilst putting the programme together, and as well as listening to their preferred destinations we also gauged their opinions on the overall holiday experience.

“Some of the bigger issues have been inconvenient flight times and luggage restrictions, particularly for families. As a result, wherever possible we have daytime flights and 20kg of luggage per passenger on all routes.”

Mr Wheatley said the Co-operative Travel had also teamed up with Tinytotsaway to offer a pre-bookable package of essentials for families with toddlers.”

He said: “As a responsible tour operator we are working towards responsible and sustainable tourism, which is why we support Travelife – a sustainability and health and safety system that governs the way suppliers manage their operations, particularly in resort, and is backed by ABTA and the EU. We are working towards sustainability throughout our offering.”

Mr Wheatley said the Society was working with Climate Care to offset carbon dioxide emissions. Also, for ever passenger travelling with the Society, £1 will be donated to the Travel Foundation.

He added: “Starting out as a tour operator is a huge step for us – particularly in the current economic climate. However alongside Cosmos, our partner in this joint venture with 40 years; tour operating experience and a quality and respected sister airline, Monarch – we are confident that we will become one of the UK’s leading tour operators.”