CONFERENCE Classic Collection Conference 2023: Almost 100 delegates hear how the


Classic Collection launches bookable website for trade


C


lassic Collection has created a new booking platform designed to “make travel agents’


lives easier” which will help the operator enjoy a bumper 2024, according to chief executive Andy Freeth. Freeth praised the performance of


travel agents in 2023, saying the trade has “reacted well” to global challenges including wildfires in Greece and the earthquake in Morocco, and he is “hugely positive” for the year ahead. He said the luxury market is


largely “isolated” from financial pressures, such as the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and high rate of inflation, and that while “news outlets report doom and gloom”, this only prompts people to travel. “For us at Classic, we are in a


much stronger position for 2024 than we were this time last year for 2023,” he told conference attendees.


This will reduce the number of calls agents need to make to us because they’ll have a simple guide of what they can offer a client


“We are currently in double-digit


growth on forward bookings for 2024 compared with the same position this time last year. “That tells us two things: there is


still a huge confidence in our brand, and the trend of booking early is strong. And, even in the luxury space, people are trying to plan and budget further ahead than they used to. “We sit in the premium space


which means we are isolated from the impact of inflation and rising costs. “Our average booking value


is not showing any signs of going


down – in fact it’s increasing.” To support agents, the operator


has created its first transactional website, aiming to save time for both the trade and Classic Collection’s sales team. The platform will go live on November 1. Si Morris-Green, agency sales


and marketing director, said: “We have created this platform to make it really simple for our agent partners to plug in the duration and location of a holiday and to instantly get a list of options with prices. “This will reduce the number


of calls agents need to make to us because they’ll have a simple guide of what they can offer a client. “Customers often have several


enquiries before they make a decision and secure a booking, so we think the new platform will make it quicker and easier as agents will be further down the decision-making funnel when they call us, so it saves everyone time.”


Some of the Classic Collection team


Si Morris-Green


AGENTS’ VIEWS


Claire Masse, Frangipani Holidays “I was very engaged hearing about what’s coming up in the next year.


I’m excited that Classic Collection is launching a booking platform – it will be a game changer for me and means Classic will be the first place I will go to when I’m looking for a holiday for a client.”


Matt Szepietowski, The Travellers Boutique “It has been an amazing conference. After hearing all the


updates from the Classic team, it makes me even more excited to be partnered with such a brilliant company and I’m excited about the year ahead.”


Telina Lawrence, The Travel Professionals “The conference has been so informative but in a really nice


and relaxed way. It was brilliant to hear how ambitious Classic Collection is for the year ahead and exciting to hear all the updates on what the company is doing to drive sales. It was also lovely to hear from so many members of the Classic team.”


Classic Package Holidays to hold first stan


Classic Collection’s trade-only brand Classic Package Holidays will hold its first standalone conference in March 2024. The brands have previously shared a conference but


agency sales and marketing director Si Morris-Green said the split would give both of them the “focus they deserve”. “There is a little bit of agent crossover between


the brands but mainly it is different agents, so by having separate conferences it makes the content more relevant to those attending,” he said. “The products have significantly different average


booking prices, with Classic Collection’s at £7,000 and Classic Package Holidays’ at £2,200, so it makes sense to split them.”


12


19 OCTOBER 2023


travelweekly.co.uk


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