Sales reps adopt cautious approach to visiting shops


Samantha Mayling


Suppliers are taking a softly-softly approach to visiting reopened travel agencies, with online contact remaining the main channel for most sales teams. Claire Dutton, JG Travel Group’s


trade sales manager, said the Just Go!, National Holidays and Omega parent would stick to social media, Zoom calls and communications from head office for the time being. “Once things settle, we plan to


restart visits and even increase them towards summer,” she said. Sales and yield director Matthew


Herbert said bookings through agents returned to pre-lockdown levels on Monday, providing a “clear indication” of demand. He said: “Customers want to visit their local travel agent to get expert advice and reassurance.” Nick Hughes, sales director for trade-only operator Gold Medal,


Caribbean International and Classic Collection said sales teams were speaking to agents and planning visits when suitable. Andrew Fielding, Kuoni’s


Paul Mellon visits Fred Olsen Travel in Hythe, Hampshire


said feedback from agents suggested they were prioritising visits from customers over suppliers, or waiting for demand to rise. He confirmed: “We don’t plan to send our trade partnership managers back to agencies immediately.” Gold Medal said phone enquiries


rose by nearly 20% across its brands on Monday when agencies opened. Jet2holidays said it would


continue its virtual trade support “for the time being”, while Royal


HAYS OF SUNSHINE: Dame Irene Hays says she will “treasure” a memorial bench presented to her by Hays Travel homeworkers in memory of her late husband John. The Hays Travel founder died in November 2020, aged 71. The wooden bench features a sunshine design and the word ‘smile’. Kath McDonald and Natalie Taylor, members of Hays’ Personal Travel Consultants division, organised a collection for the gift to Dame Irene, who said: “I am truly overcome by the kindness of our homeworking colleagues and the huge affection they’ve shown for John. It is a beautiful bench. I’ll treasure it forever.” Daughter Helen Hays said: “What utterly lovely human beings.”


8 15 APRIL 2021


retail sales development manager, said it was “too early” to welcome suppliers, adding: “It’s unfair to staff if they already have a restriction on numbers. If we get reps in, it takes away the ability to serve customers.” However, Riviera Travel reported


positive feedback as its sales staff made pre-arranged visits to agencies. Paul Mellon, key account


manager, visited Fred Olsen Travel branches in Christchurch, Hythe and Lymington in southern England. “We were one of the first


operators to go out on the road after the first lockdown and it is nice to be on the road again,” he said. “It shows we’re committed to the trade. We’re working virtually too, engaging with the trade the way they want.”


Pandaw cancels cruises as protests hit Myanmar Pandaw has cancelled all future cruises in Myanmar amid mass protests in the country after a military coup. Seven Pandaw ships based in the country are currently being looked after by the local community. Founder Paul Strachan said it would be “unfair” to keep rebooking passengers.


Biblio Travel takes on experienced trio Cyprus specialist operator Biblio Travel has appointed three trade specialists ahead of its UK launch. Louise Tansey (pictured, left), who spent 13 years at Bourne Leisure, will cover the south and Midlands; Suzanne Arnold (centre), formerly of If Only and Disney, will look after the north; and Amy Power (right), who has worked for Travelopia and First Choice, will cover London and the southeast.


Travel Convention to be virtual again this year Abta is to hold its annual Travel Convention virtually for a second time this autumn, with its postponed 2020 Marrakech event now to take place in spring 2022. The association said its decision recognised that the sector would be continuing to deal with the impact of the pandemic this year and gave sponsors and delegates more time to plan.


Bailey seeks agents for insurance lawsuit Thirty travel agents have expressed interest in joining a class action lawsuit to push for insurers to pay out on business interruption insurance due to Covid. Bailey’s Travel owner Chris Bailey says he is “pleased” with the initial response but is aiming for a group of 50.


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURES: Helen Hays


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44