Trade-only operator If Only has launched a concierge programme in response to agent demand, describing the move as addressing a “missing piece of the jigsaw”.
From now on, the concierge team will contact agents who have taken a long-haul booking worth over £25,000 or a European booking worth more than £20,000.
Elements of the concierge programme include booking a particular hotel room, arranging fast-track security arrangements at the airport and organising special celebrations at the resort.
If Only general manager Gordon McCreadie said: “Agents have been saying one of the missing pieces of the jigsaw is concierge. Particularly over recent years, customers are becoming more and more demanding with what they have within their package and they’re looking for those extra bells and whistles.”
Within two weeks of an agent taking a booking that meets the criteria, they will be sent an email detailing the concierge services available on the customer’s holiday.
At the balance stage or 10 weeks before departure, a reminder email will be sent along with a booking form.
If Only sales director Tracy Docherty said the new policy was designed to make concierge-style bookings “a lot easier for the travel agent”.
McCreadie added: “We’re a trade-only business and we’re constantly listening to our customers and one of the things that agents have been requesting from us is concierge. Agents have been saying it’s one of the missing pieces of the jigsaw.”
If Only has calculated that its average booking value is around £15,000.