EasyJet holidays hosts seven UK agents at Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final

Seven travel agents travelled to Vienna last weekend to watch the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final after winning an easyJet holidays competition.

 

To secure their spots, agents had to decode a famous Eurovision song spelt out in emojis and submit a paragraph explaining why they deserved to win.

 

The prize package featured a chartered easyJet return flight – complete with Eurovision-themed games and an onboard performance by Welsh drag queen Catrin Feelings – alongside two nights’ accommodation at the H+ Hotel, a Big Bus Tours excursion and VIP hospitality tickets to the final on Saturday, May 16.

 

Away from the arena, the group explored the Austrian capital, visiting the Eurovision Village and taking walks along the Danube.

 

Natasha Marson, easyJet holidays head of trade distribution, said: “This is our second year inviting agents to Eurovision. We know they love the contest, and we love agents.

 

“We want to get the trade excited about what we’re doing; we’ve been selling through agents for almost six years now, and the trade accounts for 20% to 25% of our overall business. Agents have a very loyal customer base, so they need a supplier they can rely on.”

 

Marson also highlighted the operator’s upcoming UK roadshows, adding: “We’ve got lots more Team Orange On Tour events coming up, including Cardiff on June 3, Brighton on June 16, Leeds on June 17 and Birmingham on June 24.

 

“We will also head to Belfast and Glasgow in the autumn, alongside a dedicated homeworker event this summer.”

 

Agents’ views

 

Maggie Goode, Experience It Now Travel

 

 

“I just love events like this, where you get to talk to other agents and learn their experience and knowledge. Seeing Eurovision on TV is one thing, but watching it live is another. A lot of my local clients want to fly from Bournemouth, which easyJet don’t fly from, but I do try to post things going from Southampton to put people on easyJet.”

 

Joe Barber, Not Just Travel

 

 

“This is a bucket-list experience I thought I’d never get to do. I’ve watched [the contest] so many times, and Vienna is a city I’d not experienced before. There’s so much culture, and it’s great for Danube river cruises. April and May have been a bit lower [for sales], but I have started to see it pick up – there’s a lot of demand for Spain. There’s been a lot of hesitation from people because of the headlines, whether it’s the war or jet fuel.”

 

Tony Sillars, Barrhead Travel

 

 

“Eurovision was fantastic – we’ve been well looked after by easyJet Holidays. The whole atmosphere and Eurovision village area, watching people from different countries talking and interacting with each other was lovely. Trading has been a bit different this year; there’s going to be a huge lates market, which has begun already, so it’s looking good.”

 

Becky Harold, The Good Travel Agent

 

 

“It’s been a jaw-dropping experience. Experiencing Vienna on its own – not just for Eurovision – is just as valuable to post on social media. Trading has been very quiet since April, partly due to the news on the EU entry-exit system, but the last couple of weeks have picked up – everyone’s getting ready for a holiday.”