Vaccine ‘bounce’ rolls on for trade Juliet Dennis


The bookings ‘bounce’ has continued as the UK became the first country worldwide to roll out a Covid-19 vaccination programme. The trade reported spikes in


demand for December, and for 2021 and 2022, particularly for high-value cruise holidays as clients plan ahead. Agents attributed further week-


on-week sales growth to continued coverage of vaccine developments. Barrhead Travel’s sales were up


30% to 40% week on week. President Jacqueline Dobson said: “The vaccine has definitely brought optimism to prospective holidaymakers. We hope, as details of the vaccine rollout become clearer, the pent-up


demand for travel will follow.” Advantage Travel Partnership


reported demand for bucket-list trips in 2021 and 2022 as well as imminent travel. Sales continued to rise after a 62% jump in week-on-week sales the week after Pfizer’s first vaccine announcement. In total, 84% of bookings were for 2021. Leisure director Kelly Cookes


cited the acceptance of antigen testing in the Canaries and vaccine news for giving people “confidence to book further ahead”. Hays Travel cautiously welcomed


increased interest at a traditionally quiet time. Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall said: “Customers have been waiting for the chance to book a holiday at the end of what has


Customers return to agencies for expert advice


Ben Ireland


Agents have returned to the high street after lockdown as customers seek more expertise to answer additional questions as they make post-pandemic travel plans. The Advantage Travel Partnership


said about 90% of members that can reopen had, but the consortium’s leisure director Kelly Cookes noted “most are still operating on reduced hours” and using furlough “to keep overheads as low as possible”. She said: “Initial signs are positive


and many members are seeing new enquiries and bookings.” Cookes


4 10 DECEMBER 2020


added that social media marketing remains “key” despite shops reopening because it is cost-effective, easily-adaptable and quick. The UK’s largest travel retailer


Hays Travel has reopened all branches in England and Wales, and plans to open stores in Northern Ireland and Scotland on Friday and Saturday respectively. A spokeswoman said “many customers [are] popping in to see friendly faces as well as booking their holidays for winter 2020-21 and summer 2021”. Tui has opened 33 of its 350 retail


shops and plans for 223 to be open by Saturday.


Customers have


been waiting for the chance to book a holiday at the end of a difficult year


been a very difficult year.” Agents in Tier 3 areas said the


market was tough, but they were making some bookings. Jill Waite, director of Pole Travel in


Failsworth, Greater Manchester, said: “We’re not getting walk-in business. We’ve done some sales but you can’t go anywhere without a test, so people are nervous about booking.” But RB Collection in Lichfield,


Staffordshire, had its best booking day “for a long time” this week. Joint managing director Oliver Broad said: “In Tier 3 there is no legal basis to stop you going on holiday but it’s a sensitive subject. Marketing has to be delicate.” But he admitted: “It is just as


much of a challenge to get a Covid test as it is to book a holiday.” Operators were also upbeat.


Kuoni said demand for late holidays prompted it to set up a late sales concierge service for departures within eight weeks, with the Maldives, Seychelles, Antigua, Saint Lucia and Barbados popular. Domestic operator Hoseasons


reported a sharp bookings spike for Christmas and 2021. Overall, bookings are up by 40% year-on-year.


Hays Travel has opened all stores in England and Wales


Scottish-headquartered Barrhead


Travel said it was reopening stores “as and when we feel it is safe and practical”, but said eight had been unaffected by lockdowns and remained open in November. President Jacqueline Dobson


said reopening plans would take into account how staff travel to work and shops’ locations, noting all decisions were “centred around protecting our people and customers”. Shops that stay closed will serve customers remotely. Dobson added: “It is apparent


that holidaymakers are returning to trusted travel agency brands. Our


customers are looking to our agents for much more information than before – from destination guidance to information about travel insurance.” Her comments followed research


from Abta, released on Friday, which concluded consumers are 20% more likely to use travel experts now than before the pandemic, with the main reasons being the security of a package holiday and up-to-date advice given by travel professionals. Chief executive Mark Tanzer said


it was “testament to the immense efforts of our members to help their customers through this crisis”.


travelweekly.co.uk


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