Cotswolds-based Battered Suitcase launched in September 2015, offering tours to “heritage, historical, natural and cultural locations”, as well as Unesco-listed destinations such as the Great Wall of China, Tanzania’s Serengeti national park and Australia’s Kakadu national park.

Founder Richard Church told TTG he believed agents were “key” to growing the business. “Agents know their clients so well and that was really the key behind our decision to work with the trade,” he said.

“With agents onboard we can work together to give their customers the best experience possible and it gives time for our team to hone the tours.

“For us it’s all about customising the trip as much as possible, whether it’s eating at a certain restaurant or visiting a different museum to everyone else, we want to immerse the traveller as much as we can.”

The operator hosted its first fam to Malta last year, with Church promising “a more structured programme for 2016”.

It has also now made its digital brochure available to download for agents to showcase the product to customers. “We have always been conscious of doing as much electronically as possible but we can appreciate that doesn’t always work for agents and they need physical copies,” Church added.

“Our main aim is to build up relationships with agents and take onboard their feedback.”