Television presenter Eamonn Holmes has said the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic has made him appreciate the value of travel agents.
Speaking on ITV’s This Morning programme on Wednesday, Holmes said the need for accurate advice “strengthened the hand of travel agents”, adding that booking through an agent was “seen as the past, but now it’s the future”.
Speaking to Holmes, The Independent’s Simon Calder agreed, saying: “The more we get through this horrible, horrible crisis, the more it’s clear that booking a proper package holiday through a real human travel agent you can look straight in the eye is a really good way to maximise your protection when things start to go wrong.”
“Its the future, it was seen as the past it’s now the future” @EamonnHolmes 29.07.2020 – if you ever need a reason why you should book with a local travel agent. #thismorningpic.twitter.com/cVYcO4kv6w
— Graham Bishop (@GRBISHOP) July 29, 2020
The conversation came the day after Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley reiterated the importance of agents and the protection offered by package bookings during an appearance on Sky News.
Speaking to host Mark Austin, Huxley said: “If you’re considering going away this summer, the most important thing is to book through a trusted travel agent who will book you with a reputable Atol-bonded tour operator.
“If things do change, you will be fully supported and, crucially, your money will also be safe.”
Travel Weekly’s editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley gives advice to Sky News viewers about the importance of booking through an agent: pic.twitter.com/axGZXDdM6n
— Travel Weekly (@travelweekly) July 28, 2020