TALKING SHOP
doubleagents I
STEVEGUY Baileys Travel, Wellingborough Northamptonshire
work for a small independent agency with three branches in the East Midlands, where, you may think, nothing exciting ever happens! But I am sure those of you in similar provincial towns in the UK know that there is always something going on to keep us agents interested. After all, we surely don't do it for the hours, pay, or benefits?! At this time of year – I am writing in mid- August – it sometimes feels like everyone is asking for the same: a five-star all-inclusive late deal but at a two-star self-catering (un- named) accommodation price?! However, two things spring to mind that
always reaffirm my belief in this job: (1) working with agent-friendly tour operators and (2) being able to provide some real value to clients. I guess that’s the reason we all keep persevering with this industry rather
How fantastically refreshing it is
to see a tour operator with an agent- friendly approach
than going off to find a job as an accountant or in the local shoe factory! For example, a few weeks ago a couple
came in to see me who were considering a few days away in Warsaw, Poland. They told me they liked the idea of travelling there by rail, perhaps to avoid the latest ash cloud or strike action by this airline or that airport. When we looked at the route and times of
the train their eyes lit up at the very mention of “via Berlin”. I had booked them a couple of nights in Berlin, their trains, the hotel in Warsaw, a few nights in Krakow, a visit to the famous Wieliczka salt mines and a night at a hotel in London the day before they travelled (this was necessary to guarantee they were in good time for the Eurostar and onward international trains!)
All this came together in no small part thank to Jo at Regent Holidays. Try the company for city breaks to Eastern Europe or elsewhere; Regent has very helpful staff that are knowledgeable about their products! Talking of staff and tour operators who make us mere agents feel valued, has anyone spoken to Castaways recently? I made a late booking through them for some regular clients of ours who like to
our guest columnists discuss some of the limitless possibilities to sell short breaks
Karen Allen retail manager, Aspen Travel, Manchester I have noticed a shift in holiday trends and
drive down through France and then onward to northern Spain. More and more people do seem to want to avoid airports, airlines and the ensuing hassle of security, queues, and delays one seems to always encounter when travelling by air these days. This particular couple tend to book into hotels as their noses take them, right down to their final port of call, Santander, for the ferry home. However, they did ask if I could book them three nights in what is reputedly the oldest hotel in the world – dos Reis Catolicos hotel in Santiago de Compostela in the Galicia region of northwest Spain – as well as their Santander hotel for the night before the ferry. I also booked them back to the UK. We had to send the cheque to Castaways
immediately, for the tickets to be released, but unfortunately our back office computer system worked out the wrong figure after our commission was taken away, which resulted in the cheque being £17 short. On receipt of our cheque, Katy at
Castaways said “Don’t worry about it”, which I took to mean don’t worry about the delay in getting the £17 to us. I was, therefore, pleasantly surprised when Katy returned the cheque to us saying 'this was not required'! How fantastically refreshing it is to see
a tour operator with an agent-friendly approach. Others would put us on stop sale for a lesser outstanding or late payment (yes, you know who you are!)?!
So thank you Jo at Regent and Katy at
Castaways! I look forward to sending some more bookings your way soon.
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patterns. There are now so many more different ‘types’ of holidays and adventure-style journeys, with enquiries coming not just from the younger clientele but also empty- nesters and baby-boomers. The recent substantial investment
made by Shearings, in new coaches and five river cruisers, has struck a chord with clients. I suspect most feel secure in the brand name that Shearings provides, plus many want to spread their wings beyond Britain. Marrakesh is one destination
that has really benefited from a big increase in flights. Just four hours from the UK, it is a truly vibrant place to visit and makes for a great short break. The sounds from the Mosque, the horse and carriage rides around town and the colourful markets and alleyways selling ornate lamps, candles, spices, silver –- it truly has that je ne sais quoi. Christmas markets – as you can
read elsewhere in this issue – is now a mini-industry in its own right. Christmas markets can be found in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Estonia (and even my home town, Manchester!). Operators such as Dertour and Leger have really developed their product and offer some great seasonal trips. The markets kick off about the
third week in November and some run all the way until the New Year. If the idea of mulled wine on
the continent does not appeal, Hoseasons has many UK locations in log-style cabins, with the added enticement of a hot tub thrown in. This sort of break is attracting a healthy clientele but is also popular among groups of family or friends looking for a weekend away.
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