FRONTLINE
Helen Parry director, Arundel Travel, Otley, West Yorkshire
Looking back over summer at Arundel
Travel, we didn’t really seem to have a pattern. Footfall and enquiries changed like the weather – a whirlwind one minute, a damp day the next! What stood out most was the sheer variety of holidays we arranged and how many people left it late this year, whether that was down to the financial climate or the good old British weather. Almost in the same breath, we
were arranging bucket-list trips to Japan, honeymoons to South America, birthday cruises to Norway and even theatre weekends in London. Our team shone throughout – they poured so much energy into researching, building dreams and matching every detail back to what the customer really wanted. Sometimes it meant throwing in
a wildcard suggestion the customer hadn’t thought of, and often those were the things that turned out to be the key ingredient that made the holiday extra special.
SEASONAL SHIFT And then, before we knew it, September had arrived. Suddenly those poolside cocktails and sandy toes were forgotten, replaced by festive daydreams of Santa, snowy ski lodges, a glittering New York Christmas or even a celebration on a faraway beach. And we’re lucky that there’s such an amazing choice of Christmas
24 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 AGENT
With so much choice online, it’s heartening to see customers turning back to
agents for inspiration
markets on our doorstep from Leeds. Customers are already booking weekends in Cologne, Vienna, Prague and Krakow, all just a couple of hours away. Lapland never fails to capture the imagination and demand this year is stronger than ever. Families are already securing places, knowing how quickly husky and reindeer rides and cabin stays sell out. Year after year we hear glowing feedback, and it’s easy to see why it remains top of the wish list. It’s not just the big festive trips,
either. This autumn, plenty of people are looking to use up the last of their holiday allowance with two-day
travelweekly.co.uk
breaks. We’re seeing interest in everything from a foodie weekend in Malaga to a fairytale trip to Tallinn. These short escapes are often cheaper than a weekend in the UK – and sometimes those quick dashes create memories that last just as long as a fortnight away.
FORWARD PLANNING Looking ahead, planning is stretching further into the future than ever. We have bookings for 2026 and even 2027. People love the idea of having something to look forward to, and being able to spread the cost gradually makes it manageable. I find it amazing how quickly demand can shift. One moment it’s all about cooling off by the lakes in summer, the next it’s snow boots, fairy lights and Santa on the horizon. Social media plants the seed – pumpkins appear, adverts sparkle, and suddenly Christmas is on everyone’s mind. And with so much choice online, customers are realising what they really want is inspiration they can trust. That’s why more people are turning back to travel agents – for ideas, advice, and a bit of magic they just don’t get from a screen. It’s been lovely to see more shops opening and the high street buzzing with travel again – it feels like our industry is shining brighter than ever.
WE SUPPORT LOCAL HEROES
At Arundel Travel, we love sponsoring local events and sports clubs, and we see first-hand the difference it makes. For us, sustainability starts close to home, and if
we’re in a position to support we think it’s only right that we invest back into the people and communities who support us every day. It’s not just about writing a cheque and walking away; we pop along to the events, cheer at the odd match, share the news on our socials and get to know the families, players and organisers.
These small touches build genuine relationships and, in turn, mean people get to know who we are and what we stand for. Stronger community links are a win-win for everyone – the clubs, the people and the businesses which support them.
Local fundraising event
Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin diary diary
Helen
Helen
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