Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) Specialist Travel Agents are already seeing the benefits of taking part in the annual AITO Week.
Nottingham-based Hyde-Barker Travel Group said bookings are already coming in after participating in AITO Week (October 3-10) for the second year running.The agency has installed a window display with special offers from AITO operators.
Managing director Robert Turner said: “This year, already the week has been really successful. On the first day we took a booking for £13,000 – that was just within the first few hours.”
Staffordshire travel agency Robert Broad Travel began flagging up AITO Week two weeks ago with a cocktail party for its top 100 customers, which was co-hosted by Cox and Kings, and Six Senses Resorts and Spas.
Marketing director Robert Broad said: “We held the cocktail evening to thank our best customers and to get a bit of interest around AITO Week.
“We’ve already made a booking for more than £10,000 as a result. It’s definitely worth getting involved in the week. It’s been fantastic.”
Haslemere Travel in Surrey has teamed up with operator Bales Worldwide to host a lunch for its top 30 clients. “We have also dedicated our three large windows to AITO-themed displays with one for ski, one Somak and one featuring the AITO Special Occasions brochure,” said managing director Gemma Antrobus.
“Customers are beginning to get more of an idea of what AITO is about, including the financial protection it offers. Exercises such as AITO Week are definitely a credit to those agents involved in the association.”