Robin’s World Travel is determined not to let the national lockdown stop it from celebrating 35 years in the business.
The one-branch travel agency in Marlborough, Wiltshire, had already begun planning how to mark its anniversary and will still run events – but virtually rather than at its high street premises.
Manager Hannah Porter said it was a case of adapting to the new environment. “We just need to make the best of the scenario,” she said. “I had compiled a ‘game plan’ to celebrate with our customers and our operators. We wanted special offers, competitions, smiles, laughter, photographs – everything an anniversary should include.
“We had planned a social event at the agency, or we might have hosted an event at the local bookshop or even a bigger do at the town hall.”
Hopes of getting supplier prizes for a competition seem unlikely due to the crisis so Porter instead now hopes to host a virtual celebration on May 15 with customers. She also plans to invite children to send in travel-related drawings on specially created templates, and to ask clients to share their favourite holiday snaps.
She said: “Prizes might have to wait but even with the lockdown we are going to have a group gathering on Zoom or a Facebook event so customers can raise a glass at home.
“I’d still expect quite a few clients to get involved via social media; 35 years is quite an achievement.”
Porter also hopes to collect testimonials from clients to create a ‘Robin’s lockdown keepsake album’.
“When this is all over we can have a party and thank them face to face,” added Porter, who said some new bookings were now coming in.
“We’re trying to be positive and not let this defeat us,” she said. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel.”
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