The new boss of The Travel Corporation Tour Brands is “cautiously optimistic” about bookings as she and her team prepare for a return to a more traditional peak selling season in the new year.
Kelly Jackson, managing director of the EMEA region for brands such as Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Contiki, told a Travel Weekly webcast that the challenge of Covid has been replaced by economic and cost-of-living crises and the war in Ukraine – as well as issues around availability, capacity and airfares.
She said 2023 tour prices are higher because the costs have risen throughout the supply chain around the world.
However, she commented: “The nice part about booking with TTC Tour Brands, once you pay your deposit, your price is guaranteed.
“We don’t surcharge, we’re not doing any of that, which is another reason to really book us.”
She said the company has returned to its pre-Covid terms and conditions, which sees the cancellation policy come into effect 60 days before departure.
“It helps us manage what is happening on the ground,” she told the webcast.
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“I’m all for seeing those flexible T&Cs being pulled back a lot more in the industry to allow us to operate.
“It’s very disruptive seeing cancellations at the last minute…and agents also want to know they’ve got that booking.”
She said the UK market is seeing a shorter booking period and last-minute booking trend.
However, South African customers need visas to travel anywhere, so the brands see a longer lead and booking time in that market.
“For Q1 of next year, we are definitely well positioned; Q2 is looking even better,” she said.
“It is too early to really report on Q3 and Q4 at this stage, so we are cautiously optimistic.
“We are positioned to operate beautifully in 2023. We’ve been operating successfully in 2022.”
Commenting on post-Covid consumer trends, she said: “Everyone wants a hassle-free way to travel. Travelling independently at the moment comes with its own set of challenges.
“People do want to make sure that they are taken care of, from start to finish.
“Touring, therefore, is really relevant because we take care of all the hassle for you. A travel agent can phone us, we make the booking, and it is all taken care of if there are any changes.”
Consumers are also booking more tours to “wide, open spaces”, so trips to national parks and destinations such as Switzerland, Italy and Greece are more popular.
South Africa-based Jackson was appointed managing director of the EMEA region for TTC Tour Brands in July, with UK-based Becky Francis as EMEA sales director.