Travel agents across the country have taken to the airwaves to highlight growing consumer confidence and optimism within the industry.
The Travel Agent Reform Group Engaged Together (Target), reported ‘at least 14’ radio stations featured appearances from travel agent members.
David Carruthers, director of Conexo Travel in York, appeared on BBC Radio York on Friday as testing requirements were removed for fully-vaccinated arrivals into the UK.
He told Travel Weekly: “I see this as a big return for business. We won’t be in a normal year as such, but we’ve had the best January since the pandemic began, and February is coming along nicely for bookings too.”
On half-term bookings, he said: “I have clients that want to book for half-term, but now everything is booked up. The problem is capacity. Every agency has bookings rolled over from last year, or the year before.”
“I’ve been critical of the government and they way they have banned travel. There’s been a lot of negativity over the past two years, but now we should be positive.”
Nicky Lynn, branch manager of Althams Travel in Huddersfield also spoke on her local BBC station on Friday. She told Travel Weekly: “Everything seems to have changed since Christmas, and we’ve seen a lot of positivity. Personally we haven’t seen an influx of bookings for half term, but people have been booking summer holidays to Greece, Turkey and the Balearics.
She added: “Our job has changed quite a lot since the pandemic. We’re getting a lot of repeat customers because we’re keeping them up to date on regulations for travel, making sure we are with them every step of the way.”
Claire Moore, managing director of Peakes Travel Elite, Shewsbury, was interviewed by BBC Radio Shropshire. She told Travel Weekly: “Now the world is opening up, we are seeing a lot of confidence for summer travel this year. This week we have seen new faces booking their first holiday in three years.”
Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel, in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, was interviewed by Global.
He reported similar booking success and said customers were “keen to finally get away to some warmer weather.”
Brett told Travel Weekly: “Travel agents have worked the last 23 months with virtually no income to look after their customers with bookings and cancelled bookings. The internet doesn’t provide that service.”
Brett, a co-founder of Target, said: “It’s more important than ever to use a travel agent who can advise on the changes to travel rules and keep you updated if they change again before you travel.”
“By booking a package through a travel agent, you are fully protected financially if the tour operator pays. Whereas if you book flights and hotels independently, the same protection does not apply.”
Fellow Target co-founder Jill Waite said: “It’s great to see so many travel agents being interviewed by their local radio stations and getting the same message across that it’s now more important than ever to book with a travel agent.”