Monster scoops web and TV work

May 20 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

ONLINE travel group Monster looks set to continue its expansion drive after winning a deal with national website and TV channel Traveldealsdirect.

The Newcastle company said the contract, which comes at the end of its first year in business, would strengthen its grip on the market and fuel growth.

In just 12 months the firm has seen passenger numbers pass the 40,000 mark and it is recruiting 40 staff to bring its workforce up to 100.

It has recently taken on 20 workers from Freedom Direct, the Newcastle travel group which collapsed last month and was later acquired by fellow North East agent Hays Travel.

In the next few weeks travel shopping channel traveldealsdirect will launch an online application allowing customers to see specially produced video content on destinations and editorial for a particular part of the annual travel calendar.

Monster Travel managing director David Hawke said: “We are delighted to have been selected to work on this exciting new travel proposition.

“The aim is to show the widest possible range of products, from large to niche tour operators and tailor-made holidays, allowing the consumer to view, browse and then purchase the best products at the best prices for all destinations.”

Monster Travel, of Gosforth, was set up last year after founders Mr Hawke and Julie Gilmore left high-flying jobs and raised £400,000 to go it alone.