Idle Travel has credited a US-themed week for bringing in nearly £120,000 worth of bookings in the past month.
To mark Independence Day on July 4, staff at the Bradford-based agency decorated the shop and teamed up with Ocean Holidays to publicise offers on Facebook.
Director Tony Mann said around £40,000 worth of US bookings was secured in that week, with nearly £80,000 taken since then.
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He said: “It’s shocked me how well that week did and it’s made me think we could do other themes in the future.”
New York was the top seller among the 10 US trips booked by Idle Travel’s six agents, said Mann, with other destinations including Orlando and Las Vegas. The agency had been keen to make people aware of Virgin Atlantic’s flights from Manchester to Las Vegas, Mann added.
He said he was “well chuffed” with the level of US sales, going on to praise Ocean Holidays for the joint effort.
“They’re really good,” said Mann. “They’re quick at getting quotes back to us and you get to know loads of the staff by name. It’s a good and growing relationship.”
Idle Travel’s most popular destinations are in the Mediterranean, with the Canary Islands, Spain and the Balearic Islands leading the way.
However, following the success of the US-themed week, Mann sees potential in promoting other destinations as well as particular sectors.
“Cruise has grown and we still need to think about getting behind campaigns as they come along,” Mann said.
“Marketing is such an important part for an agency. We could look at doing different destinations or a week of swim-up rooms. We’re always looking at different ideas and marketing – it gives a boost for everybody.”
Last year was Idle Travel’s most successful since it was founded in 1984, but Mann said this year is on course to be even better.
The business has grown stronger since the pandemic, Mann said, as word of mouth has spread about the agency’s level of service.
“We’ve been catapulted into another level,” said Mann. “I’m shocked.”
Photo: Assistant manager Sarah Hill, travel consultant Louise Everett, assistant manager Jodie Mann and travel consultant Kay Cross