Turquoise Holidays has signalled it will work more proactively with the trade once the pandemic is over as it reports “chinks of light” for the future.
Agents account for up to 10% of the long-haul tour operator’s sales currently.
The company, which specialises in tailormade holidays to destinations such as the Indian Ocean and Maldives, said that although bookings were 70% down, enquiries were still coming in.
Managing director James Bell said travel agents could be more important than ever during the recovery period.
He said: “The trade is one thing businesses like us will need more than before. It is something we are embracing. We are here for people who are interested. We would love to hear from agents.
“If agents have looked after their customers they will have customers for life and we would love them to think about us. Things will change in how we all sell things.”
Bell stressed the importance of keeping in touch with customers at this time and said it was emphasising to clients the value of booking now to help retain bookings.
He said: “There is great value now; it’s that twilight moment before airlines and hotels get their act together [and put prices up]. You can still book a holiday and benefit from the price. We have told people who have cancelled that we cannot get that deal again; it represents such good value.
“We are trying to get people confident booking travel and tell them it is a good time to book. We are still getting enquiries and we have got positivity out there.”
Bell said around 45% of new enquiries were for honeymoons. The operator has come up with a ‘Sapphire’ package for new bookings, which include refundable deposits, airport chauffeur service within 50 miles of London, airport lounge passes and wedding ring insurance.
He added: “What is coming in is honeymoons. The younger market still want to go on these holidays even if they are not booking yet. Our brochure enquiries are 10% up. There is hope out there. We are trying to help our customers rather than think ‘I am going to lose our business’.
“People’s ‘wanderlust’ and wanting to travel has been dampened but not extinguished. It’s about looking after these customers and communicating with them and not going into our shell.”