Designer Travel is planning a host of events, including its first festival, as it builds on a successful start to 2025, with sales for January reaching a record £11.7 million.
The ‘DesignerFest’ in September will follow conferences in Abu Dhabi and Cyprus, while exclusive fams and special trips for top sellers are also in the pipeline.
Managing director Amanda Matthews said last month was the first time the luxury agency had surpassed the milestone of £10 million for a month.
The figure is up 26% on January 2024 – which itself was 29% up on January 2023.
“We were delighted with that figure – there were some remarkable performances,” said Matthews.
“There were some mega bookings of more than £100k or over £50k but most are ‘value for money’ luxury.
“We have had more high-end sales in the last two weeks, as it’s getting towards payday, the weather is freezing, and holidays are advertising on TV and social media – and there are some really good prices out there.”
Established by Matthews and Karen Pocock in 2008, Designer Travel now has a team of 170 homeworkers.
Matthews added: “We spent a lot of time in December helping the team with business development, such as creating videos, which took some of them out of their comfort zone.
“For peaks, we have been looking at trends and adapting quickly with special offers to share.
“It was an amazing performance by amazing travel agents.”
Furthermore, February is “flying”, she added.
“Last February was 40% up on 2023; if we can build in that it will be a solid performance,” she commented.
She noted that gloomy news about world affairs and the UK economy did not seem to deter clients.
“The last thing people in the UK want to give up is their holidays; people are desperate to get away,” she said.
January has seen more sales for the family market, she noted, with Turkey bouncing back.
Other strong sellers have been the Maldives, Thailand, UAE and Mauritius but the Caribbean is “quiet”, she continued.
“That is industry-wide, but I have no idea why,” she commented.
“We are also really strong in Italy and our top two are Spain and Greece…with amazing products such as Grecotel and Ikos. Repeat clients know they are getting quality.”
Now more events and innovations are in the pipeline for 2025 as the agency capitalises on the success it has seen.
She noted how suppliers who have worked with Designer see a return on their investment as they are “paid back” by agents reaching sales targets when they come back from fam trips.
Homeworkers can also earn hotel stays via the agency’s Ambassador Club after reaching certain sales targets.
The main conference will be in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Holidays and other suppliers on June 15-19, with the Academy conference for trainees taking place with Constantinou Bros Hotels in Paphos, Cyprus, in May.
The inaugural DesignerFest for the homeworkers will take place at a Midlands hotel, featuring a suppliers showcase in the afternoon and bands playing in the evening.
Exclusive fams will take agents to Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Florida, Singapore and the Maldives.
And, depending on their level, top sellers will be able to join a ‘diamond’ trip to Greece or a ‘platinum’ trip Canada.
Another innovation from last year, the ‘Fab Bank’ of destination tips from agents, is also paying dividends.
“I am visiting Singapore in March and the information I have found on there from the team is amazing,” she said.
The team will continue to take on more agents this year but there is no set target for numbers, she added.
“We are fussy about who we take on,” she said. “We are always recruiting…we take on the right people when we see them or they approach us; it’s not about the numbers, it is about the right people.”
Other initiatives have been in memory of Angela Mayall, who died last June.
A ‘kick the coffee’ campaign, urging donations in lieu of a coffee at a coffee shop, raised nearly £1,500 in four weeks. The funds raised purchased football shirts and boots for Tlhageng Primary School in Madikwe, South Africa – which the agency had previously supported with a laptop and other supplies.
Agents were also given cuddly green turtles at Christmas in her memory, and pictures of the turtles on their travels have been shared by the homeworkers.
“It’s keeping her memory alive – even people who never met her are taking the turtles away and are still being inspired by her,” said Matthews.
Pictured: Karen Pocock (left) and Amanda Matthews, receiving the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry award at the 2024 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards..
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