NEWS


It’s that time of year again when the stress levels rise, you are (hopefully) busier than you can ever remember and you are desperate to have a positive peaks to start the year off well. Although January is always busy – for us at Designer Travel, almost 14% of


our annual business is typically done this month – it can have its ups and downs. Every day can feel different: on some days you will be rushed off your feet and feel like you are getting nowhere, while on others it all falls into place and you feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. Here are a few tips to consider to help you stay positive in the crucial weeks ahead and make the most of the opportunities out there.


1 Amanda Matthews Name Name


MANAGING DIRECTOR, DESIGNER TRAVEL


JOB TITLE, COMPANY


Here are my top tips to ensure your peaks sales hit the heights


2 3 4 5 10 15 JANUARY 2026


Sell what sells: Keep an eye on what is selling for you, the business you work for and your


suppliers. Sell what’s selling and make sure you have the bookings data to help you achieve this. Take time to ask the questions and make the calls to your contacts to establish trends and insights. It is always worth throwing in a few wild cards too to see if you get any bites.


Hunt for business: Go looking for business every day, don’t just wait for it to come to you.


Call former bookers, network locally and talk about travel to everyone. In January, the market is there for the taking and business development shouldn’t ever stop.


Keep an eye on your rivals: Make sure you know who your local competition is and what


they are doing online and on socials. Never copy them but always keep tabs on their activity so you know what you are up against and can plan how to maintain the edge.


Strengthen your social strategy: Be consistent with your social channels, post


regularly and make sure you mix offers with interesting content. People buy from people, so don’t be afraid to show the real you and take a leap of faith. Do something you have never done before, whether it’s a video, a personal showcase or even a competition.


Challenge unrealistic budgets: Every booking in January is worth taking, be it big or small


– and small bookings can often lead to bigger ones in the future. Having said that, don’t dwell on those enquiries you just can’t compete on. Let them go and instead focus your energy on the bookings where you can add value. If a budget is unrealistic, challenge your clients, as you know what is achievable.


6


Know your worth: As a professional travel agent, you should never need to go below


online prices. You offer far more than a direct channel: you are there to give personal service and offer knowledge and will be there if they need you throughout the full process. They will not need to hold on the phone for hours to speak with you. Booking with a professional travel agent should 100% be valued at more than online prices. Make sure your clients understand the difference and give examples of past bookers where you have added value with your service. This should enable you to charge more than direct.


7


Tap in to your existing clients: When you get a booking over the line, try to double dip – ask


them if they are looking to travel again in the future. You may find they are also thinking about a city break, or even to book for the following year. Make sure you also ask them to promote you to their friends and families, as these can be hot leads, and at this time of year, your customers are very likely to know others who are looking at holidays too.


8


Start each day afresh: Last but by no means least, treat every day as a new one. Don’t bring


the stress from the previous day forward. Some days you will put in a lot of effort and get nothing; other days the bookings will flow freely. If you are having a tough time, by starting each day like a new one you will naturally feel and be perceived as more positive – and clients much prefer to deal with a positive attitude when buying a holiday.


Enjoy peaks, and try to stay as positive as you can no matter how tough it might get.


Read more by Amanda Matthews: go.travelweekly.co.uk/comment


travelweekly.co.uk


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