Tour operators have unveiled prizes, offers and giveaways to mark National Travel Agent Day today (July 22).
Organised by Intrepid Travel, the theme for this year is celebration and collaboration and aims to reward agents who are going through ‘tough times’ amid ongoing airline disruption and the cost-of-living crisis.
Agents can enter a competition to win a place on one of four Intrepid trips. The operator is working with industry associations to give away four trips in destinations that start with the letters NTAD – N for Nepal, T for Turkey, A for Australia and D for Domestic (UK).
The company is also offering agents 60% off its small group adventures for their own holiday, and 40% off for agents’ travel buddies, and there are discounts worth up to 20% off 2022 Intrepid trips for customers, exclusive to agents.
Joanna Reeve, Intrepid’s head of business development and partnerships, said: “Although travel is back, times are still tough for agents as they get their businesses back up and running and deal with airline disruptions and the cost-of-living crisis.
“This is a time to celebrate and support agents and show our appreciation for their hard work.”
Sandals and Beaches Resorts‘ UK tour operator, Unique Caribbean Holidays Ltd is celebrating by offering prizes and deals to agents and clients.
All clients who book a seven-night holiday or more to a Sandals or Beaches Resort through a UK travel agent via UCHL will receive a free private candlelight dinner during their stay.
The three-course meal under the stars will feature white-glove service from a personal waiter.
Any agent who makes a booking to a Sandals or Beaches Resort on July 22 will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a ‘swag bag’ containing exclusive Sandals Resorts’ 40th anniversary merchandise.
The prize includes a Sandals 40th anniversary tote bag, insulated Yeti cup, keyring, luggage tags and flip flops.
Agents must book online or via the UK call centre and register their booking with their business development manager to be in with a chance of winning.
Karl Thompson, UCHL managing director, said: “National Travel Agent Day is about celebrating frontline agents and saying ‘thank you’ for everything they do.
“We’re delighted to be involved in the National Travel Agent Day initiative again this year and we hope our agent partners know how much we appreciate them.”
Tipto has teamed up with operators and airlines to give away a range of prizes, including a fam trip place with Gold Medal, a case of Moët champagne thanks to Virgin Voyages, and £100 of shopping vouchers from Fred Holidays.
To enter, agents must like or comment on any of Tipto’s social media posts, or share the National Travel Agents Day logo on their own social media business page with a message telling their friends or clients why they should book a holiday through a travel agent.
Each like, comment or share is worth one entry.
Qatar Tourism is giving agents the chance to win tickets to Qatar Goodwood Festival, which runs from Tuesday, July 26 until Saturday, July 30.
The tourist board has 24 tickets available for each day the festival is running, making 120 tickets in total.
Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) is marking the occasion by giving agents the chance to win spots on a 2023 “megafam” trip.
To enter the competition, agents must either join the Visit Malta Trade Facebook group or make a Malta booking with Mercury Holidays by August 19.
A total of five prize spots are available, two of which will be allocated via Facebook and three via Mercury Holidays.
The tourist board said it has launched the competition so it can “celebrate agents, their incredible knowledge and how they really make a difference”.
Tolene van der Merwe, MTA’s UK and Ireland director, said: “We are incredibly grateful for their continued support in recommending Malta, Gozo and Comino to UK holidaymakers and we want to show them how much we value what they do and we look forward to rewarding some very special travel agents with a trip of their own soon.”
Chris Crampton, chairman of Pata UK & Ireland, commented: “On behalf of Pata, we’d like to express our sincere gratitude to travel agents across the UK. You continue to play a vital role in the industry and weT recognise your incredible hard work and dedication to support Pacific Asia.
“Your enthusiasm to learn (we’ve met hundreds of you in person and online over the last year!) is inspiring. With the majority of the region open again and 80% of our agent network receiving enquiries we are excited to see tourism returning with your continued support. Thank you.”