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There are ways that travel agents can take advantage of the current foot and mouth crisis – like offering alternative flights and short breaks within Europe

STEPHEN RHODES

THE British Tourist Authority has predicted that the travel industry stands to lose millions of pounds as a result of the foot and mouth crisis and that the industry as a whole could take five years to recover.

There is no doubt the crisis has done lasting damage to the UK market and we will be waiting a long time if we believe the Government will face up to its responsibilities by offering compensation to the operators that have been the worst hit by the travel restrictions.

We all feel for the plight of UK-based organisations facing the wave of tourists cancelling or postponing their UK holidays and demanding compensation. It is also frustrating to see how the number of overseas visitors has dropped over the past weeks since the crisis.

As an experienced hand in the travel industry, but a newcomer to Avro (having only joined six weeks ago), I believe there are ways in which agents can perhaps take advantage of the current situation by offering the alternative of flights and short breaks within Europe.

Many of those who have booked holidays within the UK will have been upset that they are no longer able to travel and would welcome the suggestion of cost-effective alternative holiday arrangements abroad.

As the seat-only market leader within the UK travel trade, Avro has seen a significant sales increase over the last few weeks which has undoubtedly been aided by the transferral of bookings from the UK into the European market.

The strength of Avro flying from 11 regional airports, as well as our ability to offer odd durations (enabling shorter durations than the restrictive seven or 14 durations of many charter flights) has enabled us to maximise bookings.

Avro also offers child discounts, allows name changes and accepts deposits. Rather than letting customers make their own alternative arrangements directly via the low-cost airlines (who undoubtedly will be benefiting from the current cancellations), agents can offer flights through Avro and still get their commission which so-called low-cost airlines don’t offer. Avro supports the agent wholeheartedly with 98% of its business coming via the agent.

The agents, who are able to adapt to the current situation by offering customers alternative holidays abroad, will be able to take some positive steps to balance the climate of pessimism.

See Meet the Trainer, page 60

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