NEWS
Every year I set myself resolutions, some of which are realistic and easy to stick to –
and others that are a litle more challenging. When the following December rolls around,
I sit back and reflect on what I’ve achieved and how I want to start the next year. Recently, as well as the usual business and budget planning, I’ve started making resolutions for my business. In no particular order, they are:
Gemma Antrobus CHAIR, AITO SPECIALIST TRAVEL AGENTS
New Year’s resolutions for myself and the business
Be more sustainable Tis applies both within the business and with the holidays we sell. I want to look at ways to reuse and recycle, including brochure disposal and plastic waste. I want to spend time geting to know more about the ‘Sustainability Tink Tank’ Aito is seting up and how this can help our clients. I would like us to promote more sustainable ways of travelling.
Solidify relationships With the industry challenges over the past few years, you quickly learn who your friends are. It’s time to give greater support to suppliers that invest in us, and review relationships that are a litle less nurtured. Aito has a tour operator member for almost every style of holiday to every corner of the world – make them your best friends in 2020.
Get to know our clients even better Te trick to client retention is to make yourself indispensable. Even if an unbelievable holiday deal pops into a clients inbox, they wouldn’t dream of booking it because how could this website know a fraction of what you do? It won’t be able to arrange specific pillows or matress toppers a client requires
or ensure the hotel mini bar is clear of nuts for those with allergies. Whether it’s holding more client events, aſternoon teas or just picking up the phone for a chat, I want to listen to clients more. Aito members are offered a free client insight survey as part of their membership – the knowledge I have gained from this survey about booking paterns, travel habits, future travel ideas and more, is priceless.
Learn more Tere is no one in travel who knows it all. Not me, not the chief executive of the largest travel company in the world; we all have room to grow. Te development of my team and I is a top priority for 2020, in terms of product and skill. Sending staff on fams and training days is costly, but essential. Aito headquarters runs training events throughout the year and, along with the vast number of product training and fam trips offered by operators, there is no excuse not to learn something new in 2020.
Have fun Working in travel can be hard at times, especially in unforeseen circumstances, but don’t forget that what we do is sell dreams to our clients. Take a step back from time to time. And share ideas. Maybe join a fellow agent for dinner or kick back in the bar at the Aito conference to strategise or take the team out for a post-peaks treat. People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they’re doing. Best of luck for 2020 and I hope you stick to
your resolutions.
Read more columns by Gemma Antrobus:
go.travelweekly.co.uk/comment
14
2 JANUARY 2020
travelweekly.co.uk
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