Agent Diary: Sometimes the best answer to an unrealistic budget is a respectful 'no'

Learning to protect our time can be as important as securing a sale, says ArrangeMY Escapes’s Jennifer Lynch

As the summer season gets underway, so too does the rush for last-minute holidays. I’ll be honest – it’s not my favourite time of year. We’re faced with a wave of customers on the hunt for late getaways, often with wish lists as long as their arm and budgets as tight as ever. Many have already scoured the internet and come in expecting us to work miracles.

To meet the demand, I’m guiding my sales team to think outside the box. It’s no longer just about typical last-minute beach breaks – more and more families are turning their attention to long-haul, off-season destinations like Thailand, Bali and Vietnam. They offer exceptional value compared to some European hotspots, which are now pricing themselves out of reach for many.

August holidays

Families are already asking about August departures with extremely limited budgets. We’ll always go the extra mile to help, but we have to balance optimism with realism. Sometimes, the best answer – however difficult – is a respectful ‘no’. Our time is valuable, especially during peak season, and learning to protect it is as important as securing the sale. 

I’m really hoping we see a late season with minimal disruption. The recent power outages in Spain and Portugal were a stark reminder of how vulnerable peak travel months can be. Thankfully it wasn’t July or August. As always, I choose to see these moments as opportunities to adapt and stay ahead.

It’s also conference season for us, and next week marks one of the highlights of the calendar – the annual Advantage Travel Partnership Conference, this year taking place in Malta.

Advantage never fails to deliver an outstanding event, with a schedule full of insightful content, inspiring keynote speakers and the popular speed-networking sessions.

It’s always a great opportunity to connect, learn and return with fresh ideas and renewed energy. I’m genuinely looking forward to what promises to be another memorable and valuable experience.

Race across the world

Has anyone else been watching Race Across the World? The latest series is already having an impact. We’ve seen a surge in enquiries for India alone, and China is being beautifully showcased – I’m confident it will translate into real opportunity for us agents.

It’s the perfect time to tap into this momentum – share related content on social media, post travel offers inspired by the show and tell the story behind the journeys featured. Many tour operators are already leveraging the buzz around the series, so be a part of it. 

It’s not just Race Across the World making waves either. We’ve seen increased demand for Portugal, Madeira and train travel, all sparked by Michael Portillo’s railway travelogues and series about Portugal. But my recent travel TV highlight was Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job, which genuinely made me want to pack a bag and follow in their footsteps.

With a bit of strategic research and targeted promotion, you can absolutely boost your sales and reach new audiences off the back of these shows.