Travel agents will play a “crucial role” as Pacific Asia destinations reopen to holidaymakers, according to the UK & Ireland chapter of the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
It highlighted “agent angels” as one of the nine key trends for 2022 in its Pata Patterns 2022 report.
“As a degree of uncertainty lingers and as destinations re-open and travel rules and regulations chop and change, there is a great need for travel experts to assist consumers in the planning, booking and management of travel,” said the report.
“Holidays are more complex than ever as consumers adjust to travelling in the age of Covid-19 and they want the assurance of good advice and, of course, financial protection.”
About 30% of consumers are more likely to book with an agent than pre-pandemic, according to Ian Dockreay, chief executive at Equator Learning and Travel Uni, who highlighted the wide range of Travel Uni courses available for the Pata region.
Chris Crampton (pictured), chairman of Pata UK & Ireland chapter, said the market was in a stronger position this year thanks to “global vaccination programmes, knowledge from the lessons learned in 2021 and improved consumer confidence”.
“2022 offers hope at long last and a turning point,” he said.
“With more of the Pacific Asia region set to open this year there are exciting opportunities for both travellers and the industry alike ahead.”
He told Travel Weekly that the relaxation of travel rules by the UK was being noticed by countries in the Pata region and forecast “considerable advantages” for those destinations that open up first.
But he said countries will open up at different paces, noting how Sri Lanka and Cambodia have already relaxed rules and there are better prospects for Australia – but not so much for Hong Kong.
“It is patchy but the direction of travel is clear and gives us grounds for optimism,” he said.
“There will be a cascade effect for countries that rely on tourism; if one makes it easier, others will follow.”
He added: “There will be a surge in late bookings when destinations open – but we are not through this yet. The effects will be with us for a long time.
“We need to stop comparing to 2019 – that has gone – but will 2022 be better than 2021? Yes.”
He hailed the role of travel agents who can help customers deal with the complexity of travel in the Covid era.
The chapter recently welcomed John Coles, managing director of Kew Bridge Travel, as the first agent on its committee to offer an agency perspective.
Crampton also said there will be more face-to-face gatherings for the trade from the spring – although online events will remain as they have proved popular during the pandemic.
The expanded Pata Exchange annual travel trade event will take place on March 14 at The Tower Guoman Hotel in London, and pub quiz nights across the UK and Ireland will take place from springtime onwards, he added.
Furthermore, there will be opportunities later in the year for agents to visit the region on fam trips because hotels and destinations are “desperate” to get the trade to experience them, Crampton said.
He hailed the “extraordinary” resilience of tour operators who specialise in the Pacific Asia region for the way they adapted to the challenges of Covid – praised the Pata team for their efforts.
“They have been working their socks off to maintain interest in the region among the travel trade and hold training events,” he said.
As well as the role of agents, the Pata Patterns report pointed to eight other trends for the coming year, including a desire to “splash the cash” as tourists want to make up for lost time and spend more on their holidays.
However, budget-conscious travellers remain and will be catered for by companies such as Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines.
Family holidays, healthy options, “slow and solo” travel and ethical tourism are other trends, along with road trips and a desire for a “great escape” in natural, outdoor environments.
The Pata Patterns report is compiled with feedback from tour operators, tourist boards, destination management companies and hoteliers.