FRONTLINE
MATT AND ASHLEY PHILLIPS co-owners, The Travel Chaps, Lincoln
If there’s one word that makes every travel
agent instinctively reach for coffee (and possibly chocolate and bottle of wine), it’s peaks. That glorious, chaotic stretch of the year where inboxes multiply overnight, the phone doesn’t stop ringing and everyone suddenly decides now is the moment to plan their dream holiday. For us at Travel Chaps, peaks planning didn’t start in January – it started months before – and we’re sure it’s the same for many of you. We all knew what was in store, so preparation is key. It wasn’t just about contacting our clients and database, it was about making sure those go-to suppliers were picked and the team were fully briefed on what’s hot, what’s raining, and what’s likely to cause a meltdown if left too late. Nothing kills peaks momentum faster than scrambling for answers or a quote when demand is already through the roof.
TIME IS CRITICAL
One of the biggest lessons peaks teaches us is the importance of time. During quieter months, we can be a little more flexible and chatty. But in this period, efficiency is a matter of self-preservation. Structured appointment slots, clear response times and realistic expectations are not intended to be unhelpful – they’re about giving every client the best possible service without anyone burning out by February.
26 5 FEBRUARY 2026 AGENT
Peaks can be chaotic, but looking back at what we’ve achieved is a reminder of
why we do this job
That said, no amount of planning can prepare you for some customers. Recently, one of our clients rang in a mild panic because they’d “accidentally booked annual leave for August” and wondered if we could “find something nice, anywhere sunny, all-inclusive, adventure but chilled, culture but remote, town nearby but we don’t like city breaks, and flying for two hours maximum”. When gently reminded that August is peak season, they replied: “Oh. I didn’t realise summer was busy.” We paused. We breathed. We then worked absolute magic – because that’s what we agents do.
PEAKS IS TEAM SPORT Peaks is also where experience counts. Knowing when to push for early booking, when to advise flexibility and when to gently steer clients away from unrealistic expectations is an art form. We spend a lot of time explaining why prices look the way they do, why availability is tighter and why that Instagram villa might not be quite as last-minute-friendly as it appears. Education is as important as inspiration during this time of year. Behind the scenes, peaks is a team sport. We support each other, share updates constantly and celebrate the wins – even the small ones, such as securing that last family room or pulling off a complex multi-centre itinerary against the odds. It’s busy, it’s loud and it’s exhausting, but it’s also one of the most rewarding periods in the travel calendar. Because when peaks ends, and you look back at the holidays booked, the memories created and the problems solved, you remember exactly why you do this job. And if nothing else, peaks
reminds us that no matter how well you plan, someone will always ask if summer is a busy time to travel.
LITERALLY ALL AT SEA
Cruise is officially having its moment – and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. As the fastest-growing travel sector, it is attracting a whole new wave of travellers for us,
from first-timers to seasoned cruisers trading up to bigger ships, bolder itineraries and more-immersive experiences. Fly-cruises, luxury lines and expedition sailings are all seeing huge demand, proving cruise is no longer a one-size- fits-all holiday. With that in our minds, we hosted our very first Cruise Show this month, bringing suppliers and plenty of inspiration together under one
roof. The response was fantastic and confirmed what we already knew: cruise curiosity is turning into cruise confidence, and this sector is only going one way. Full steam ahead!
Matt and Ashley with the team
travelweekly.co.uk
M & AshleyAndrea Clare Helen Sharon
Matt AshleyAndrea Clare Helen att
diary diary Sharon
Colin Colin
Matt & Ashley
Matt & Ashley
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