A TRAVEL entrepreneur is launching an online agency in Darlington bringing up to 100 jobs to the region.

John McLean, founder of the Late Escapes Group, which he sold to Airtours in the Nineties, is introducing MyWayTravel.com to the sector later this month.

The failures in recent years of North-East-based travel agents Monster Travel and Freedom Direct has not deterred Mr Mclean, who believes that rising consumer confidence and a business plan of controlled, consistent growth, will help to secure the new venture.

He is recruiting an initial 20 consultants and managers for a call centre based at Lingfield Point, in the town.

MyWayTravel is the first brand to be launched by the Online Travel Agent Group (Otag), which has ambitious growth plans and expects to expand its North-East workforce in the coming months.

The business will launch specialist product lines aimed at sectors such as cruises, luxury holidays, skiing, late bookings and low-cost deals.

John McLean said: “We believe that consumer confidence is increasing despite the difficult economic environment.

“There’s a correlation between holidays and consumer confidence when people are making holiday decisions and we believe they will continue to do so.

“We also strongly believe that the North-East is the place to locate this new enterprise and that the economic recovery is all ready under way here and that it is being led by private sector investment and job creation.

“We aim to take advantage of the innovation and talent that is a hallmark of people in the region.”

The MyWayTravel.com website will allow customers to book trips online with call centre staff on hand to offer support and advice.

Mr Mclean refuted suggestions that continued uncertainty around the state of the recovery, this month’s VAT increase and public sector job cuts threatened the viability of the new business.

About 100 jobs were lost in the region when Newcastlebased Freedom Direct collapsed in 2009, with a similar number going at call centre and homeworking company Monster Travel when it ceased trading last year.