Independent travel agents remain relatively upbeat about their future and are adapting their businesses as the economic downturn bites.
Many have already begun to focus on specific niches or closed branches to weather the decline in bookings.
Bailey’s Travel closed one of its four agency branches early this year and has ditched mass-market brochures from its racks.
Owner Chris Bailey said: “We are shifting our focus on to high-value bookings and booking values have doubled. By adjusting staffing levels [as a result of branch closure] we have more time to do a proper job. We are not chasing every customer, just those with money to spend.”
Bawtry Travel Worldchoice owner Katherine Doyle said the agency’s core of repeat customers was helping the business through difficult trading.
“Agents who have been lucky to find niche markets are more secure and we are reasonably fortunate in that we have a strong nucleus of clients,” she said.
But she admitted: “You have to be a bit worried – there is a definite downturn. We have had less footfall over recent months and I feel sure there will be a lot of agency failures.”
Thyme Travel partner Phil Hindle, who started trading as a personal travel consultant in February, said: “Last year there was no hint of this happening but I have no regrets and business is okay.”
Britaly Travel owner Daniele Broccoli was confident agents would survive the downturn. “We have been through so many problems before and people will come back and book a holiday.”