The Covid-19 pandemic may result in increased use of video calling for home-based agents who were previously reticent about using the technology, according to one leading agency director.
Charles Duncombe, of Holidaysplease, said: “We’ve tried to do it in the past and I don’t think customers are the problem. I think customers are quite happy to do it. I’m currently more used to Zoom-calling people than seeing people face-to-face – everyone is far more used to it.
“But when we tried it in the past, I got a lot of homeworkers, saying ‘I’m still in my pyjamas’ or ‘I need to do my makeup’. We got a little bit of resistance from some but I’m sure it’s something we’re going to look more into now.”
Asked if he felt homeworking would become more popular following the crisis, Duncombe said: “I think if the high street is under strict controls for a long time to come, and travel agents want to get back into the business, then obviously homeworking would be a natural environment for them.”