Abta members fronting the association’s 2021 Travel With Confidence campaign say consumers are increasingly turning to the trade for advice amid a “minefield” of travel regulations.
A dozen Abta members’ ‘selfie’ videos were edited together to make a film for the second phase of the association’s annual turn-of-year campaign.
Launched on Monday, the national marketing drive shows agents and operators talking about their personal service and passion for travel.
Graeme Brett, director of South Shields-based agency Westoe Travel, is one of the agents featured. He said: “2021 will be the year of the travel agent.
“People want advice from a travel agency more than ever before, because of Covid-19, testing requirements and Brexit changes.
“Some people booked by themselves in the past and perhaps saved £10 but had so much hassle they now want an agent to do the work for them.”
He added: “We have made a point of keeping our shutters open each day and putting offers in the window even when we can’t open so people see that we’re still here.”
Also featured is Andrew Meech, partner at Liphook Travel in Hampshire – a family-run agency that hopes to celebrate its 50th anniversary with clients in December 2021.
He said: “The campaign tells people the importance of booking with agents who can look after you. We have been looking after clients throughout the pandemic and getting good feedback.
“With Brexit and Covid, it’s a minefield, so people need to understand what documents to travel with.”
More: Abta members star in second phase of Travel with Confidence campaign
Stephanie Jepson, partner at Courtney World Travel in Tewkesbury, is the first member featured on the compilation, telling viewers agents are “here for our customers around the clock”.
She said the Abta campaign “really gets the message across about what we do”, adding: “I’ve done a lot of work telling customers about Brexit – checking the validity on passports and Ehics [European Health Insurance Cards], and we were helping customers with passenger locator forms last summer.
“We offer unique support that online agents and lots of tour operators can’t.”
She also spreads the word about the value of agents in her local paper and on radio stations.
Also featured is Lucy Clifton, general manager of Flight Centre Travel Group, who said: “More than ever, customers tell me they need an expert, somebody to help them navigate the increasingly complicated process of booking travel.
“Customers are less bargain-driven and far more keen on accurate information, refundable bookings, and having somebody to do the hard work for them.
“While we don’t have a crystal ball, we do have the most up-to-date information and brilliant staff who are on hand 24/7.”
Matt Pink, easyJet holidays’ customer experience manager, is one of the operator members in the video.
“We’re really supportive of any activity which helps support the industry and encourages consumer confidence,” he said.