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Podcast helps agents get on track for rail holidays resurgence

Andy Brabin (left) with Mark Smith.

The creator of a new train travel podcast has urged agents to subscribe and boost their knowledge of a sector that is tipped for growth.

Andy Brabin has launched Ride the Rails to give listeners tips about train travel throughout the UK, Europe and around the world.

He founded Railbookers in 2003 and left the business in 2015 to set up a blog under the name of AndyBTravels. He also established a rail holiday website called discoverbyrail.com.

In his podcast, Brabin talks to Mark Smith, the founder of The Man in Seat61 rail travel advice website, who has accompanied him on many train trips.

The first series of the podcast features topics such as Eurostar and train trips in the UK.

Domestic train holidays are tipped to be increasingly popular as concerns mount about overseas travel this summer, said Brabin.

He commented: “I know first-hand how complex it can be navigating the best fares, schedules and putting together itineraries that meet a customer’s needs. It is why I developed an award-winning rail-holiday operation.

“Agents can improve their knowledge by tuning in. This will give them the edge over competitors.

“Indications are that customers are going to be seeking professional advice from agents when they book holidays in the future, so this podcast is an engaging educational tool for agents.”

Smith added: “AndyB shares my passion for rail travel and I’ve enjoyed many adventures by train with him, so it is a real pleasure to be chatting with him throughout this series.

“We hope our weekly catch-up will entertain, inform and inspire agents to recommend with confidence a rail holiday.”

The first two episodes are available, and new ones will be issued weekly, covering topics such as sleeper trains, scenic journeys, fares, railway stations and hotels.

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