Jet2Villas adds Awaze villas in Mediterranean expansion

Move sees a new distribution channel for Awaze with tour operator

Jet2Villas is adding 1,000 villas from Awaze's NOVASOL portfolio as the tour operator expands its holiday rental inventory across the Mediterranean.

The four-star and five-star properties, all with private pools, will initially be available in Croatia, France, Italy, Spain and the Balearic Islands.

The deal gives Awaze - Europe’s largest provider of holiday rentals and owner of James Villas, Novasol and cottages.com - a new distribution channel for its homeowners, putting their properties in front of customers booking through Jet2's UK network of 14 airport bases.

For Jet2, the partnership broadens the accommodation available through its villa programme while allowing it to package Awaze's rental inventory with its own flights.

Matthew Price, CEO of Awaze, said the partnership would bring the company's properties to customers who may not traditionally have considered a holiday rental.

"By combining the ease of a Jet2Villas package with our fantastic holiday homes across Europe, we can offer holidaymakers the reassurance of booking everything together, with the flexibility to choose a home that’s right for them," he said.

The deal reflects the growing overlap between holiday rental inventory and traditional tour operator distribution, as tour operators add alternative accommodation to their packages and rental platforms seek access to established travel distribution.

The initial 1,000 properties are expected to be expanded with further accommodation and destinations as the partnership develops.

John Davis, director of product and retail at Jet2, said the addition represented a "significant enhancement" to its existing Jet2Villas programme.

The villas will be sold as part of Jet2Villas packages, combining accommodation with Jet2 flights and ATOL protection.

Davis said the partnership would give customers greater choice while allowing Jet2 to build out its villa offering across its UK departure network.