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Innovative and savvy agents still have a future
Saturday, 27 Jan, 2010
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There remains scope for innovative and savvy travel agents, according to industry experts.
The conclusion came from a debate whether agents were ‘passed their sell-by date’ at an event organised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group in London.
ABTA chairman John McEwan, who chaired the debate, said: “We know from our data that although agents on the high street may be fewer, other models of business are appearing such as going into partnership with supermarkets and home working.
“However, I believe and am delighted that the panel are of the same view, that there are endless opportunities out there for those agents who are providing excellent customer service, expertise and embrace technology.”
ABTA member Jackie Steadman (Traveltime World) said that bookings in her business were buoyant due to her commitment to understanding her customers and providing added value services such as chauffeur driven limos to airports.
Other tips cited by the panel which included John Bevan, Laurence Hunt, Kathryn Bullock and Simon Beeching were that agents needed to provide products and services that were not readily available on the internet such as expertise in niche areas.
Building relationships with existing customers and getting involved in the local community were seen as good ways of penetrating the local market.
Agents should also be using the internet more and exploiting its huge potential.
Another tip was that travel shops should sell themselves more with creative windows, perhaps promoting a destination where they had expertise.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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