Villa and boutique hotel specialist Simpson Travel is increasing its focus on the trade, with plans to offer more fam trip places and to recruit a trade assistant.
The operator is planning a fam trip in the autumn to build on the success of its recent educational to Corfu. The destination is yet to be finalised.
It has reported rising sales through agents, thanks to its “enhanced focus on trade activity” led by head of trade sales Hannah Naylor-Vane.
She recently hosted a fam trip for seven agents to northeast Corfu, which is a key destination for the operator.
For the autumn trip and other educationals, the operator will invite a mix of agents, ranging from those who have delivered a large number of sales and want to increase their product knowledge to a selection of handpicked agents to whom the operator wants to showcase the brand.
“Overall, 2022 has been a fantastic year for Simpson Travel, with bookings bouncing back after the past two years,” she said.
“We’re delighted that our focus on relationships with the trade is bearing fruit and we are committed to building this sector of our business still further.
“We are currently recruiting for a trade assistant to increase our dedicated agent-resource and are also developing our agent portal.”
More: Simpson Travel bids to double trade sales with dedicated agent brochure
She said the recent fam trip was a “fantastic opportunity” to spend time with key agents and show them Simpson Travel’s exclusive properties.
“We received some really positive feedback, and it was very useful to hear first-hand about what’s important to our agent partners and how we can support them into the future,” said Naylor-Vane.
“We look forward to hosting a further fam trip in the autumn.”
Agents stayed at Bella Mare Hotel (pictured below), a beachfront property on Avlaki Bay, and visited other exclusive Simpson properties.
They were able to explore northeast Corfu, take a boat trip along the coastline and dine at some of the restaurants in the area.
Amelia Atkinson (Tailoring Travel) said: “The itinerary was so carefully thought-out that it really did feel like we left Corfu with more in-depth knowledge of an area than I have ever achieved before from an agent visit.
“To be able to talk to customers about specific villages, restaurants and even where boats go from and to, the detail is all there.”
Main picture from left: Richard Dooley (More Travel), Diana Twyford (Quality Travel), Hannah Naylor-Vane (Simpson Travel), Gayle Dennett (Simpson Travel local representative), Amelia Atkinson, Tailoring Travel (affiliate of Swords Travel), Sally Faulkner (Quality Travel), Helen Dooley (More Travel), Charlie Panton (Putney Travel) and Maryna Shcherbakova ( Travel Matters)
