THE boss of luxury tour operator Destinology is proving that running a successful travel business runs in the family.

Thirty-eight-year-old Dominic Speakman is the son of David Speakman, founder and chairman of award-winning Bolton-based Travel Counsellors.

However, former Bolton School pupil Dominic is aiming to go a step further by expanding Destinology into London and the South East — servicing a celebrity clientele — and targeting £60 million turnover this year.

Mr Speakman left his father’s company to set up the Lostock Lane firm in 2004 and has just celebrated 10 years trading.

Destinology also has an office in Wilmslow, Cheshire, employing a total of 100 people, and the business has already delivered a 27 per cent increase in sales compared with the first quarter of last year.

The firm was also listed in the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For when it hit the £48 million turnover milestone in 2013.

“We have focused strongly on customers’ needs from day one,” said Mr Speakman.

“From that base, Destinology has grown to become one of the UK’s leading tour operators by selling direct to its clients via its experienced and knowledgeable call centre staff, as well as through its first retail store.”

Mr Speakman said that Destinology’s success is attributable to the very best technology in the sector.

“In 2013, a pioneering innovation saw the introduction of our agents’ website which passes on favourable room and air fare rates exclusively to travel agents, allowing them to compete with direct sell competition,” said Mr Speakman.

“The call centre’s phone system allows operators to see the booking background of customers before they welcome each call, while our first retail store features 80-inch screens, touch screen displays, cinema style presentation and incorporating features such as an ‘expert bar’ for one-to-one chats.

“It’s totally different from any other travel agency on offer.”

Destinology offers a wide range of luxury holidays to destinations including the Middle East, Indian Ocean, the Far East and Caribbean as well as to Europe.