Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin diary diary
Helen
Helen
FRONTLINE
Helen Parry director, Arundel Travel, Otley, West Yorkshire
There’s an old saying in the travel industry:
cut me in half and, like a stick of rock, you’d see ‘travel agent’ written through the middle of me. It’s true – travel is more than just a career; it’s a way of life. Over the past few weekends, I’ve been lucky enough to spend time with every generation of my family, sharing and listening to their incredible travel stories. What’s struck me the most is just how different each generation’s travel experiences are. I remember my first overseas holiday like it was yesterday. I was 12 years old when my parents took me to our local travel agent. We were greeted by a friendly man who, in those days, was allowed to smoke at his desk! With a warm smile, he introduced us to the wonders of Majorca, painting a picture of beautiful Puerto Pollensa.
THE THRILL OF BOOKING That day was a turning point for me. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I knew, in that moment, that I wanted to be a travel agent. The excitement of booking through a professional who made us feel special, the thrill of stepping onto a plane and the simple joy of discovering a new place were unforgettable. There was no internet, no
glossy brochures and no online reviews to consult. We simply trusted the travel agent’s advice and went for it. Back then, holidays
26 20 MARCH 2025 AGENT The boom in niche
travel is a chance for us agents to serve up holidays offering real experiences
were mostly about mass-market destinations – there was little knowledge of anything different. Fast forward to today and
the travel landscape couldn’t be more different. This month, I’ve been teaching my students about specialist tourism, and it’s been eye-opening to explore the surge in unique, tailored experiences. From adventure travel and wellness retreats to ecotourism and cultural immersions, niche travel is booming. The biggest change? Access to information. When I was 12, we had to rely on the word of a travel agent. Now, in half an hour, I can learn everything I need to
know about a destination through Instagram, TikTok and travel blogs. It’s incredible how social media has revolutionised the way we research and experience travel.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT Somewhere along the way, though, we’ve forgotten how powerful these niche travel experiences can be. Long-haul tours, expedition cruises, unique cultural immersions – these are no longer just for the wealthy or the retired. As travel agents, this is our moment. We need to take this shift by the horns and showcase what we can do. The world has changed and so have customer expectations. They don’t just want a holiday – they want an experience. They want insider knowledge, they want confidence in their booking, and they want personalised service. This is where we shine. We have
the expertise, passion and industry connections to bring incredible trips to life. Whether it’s a complex, multi- stop itinerary, an Arctic expedition, or a once-in-a-lifetime luxury cruise, it’s up to us to show people they don’t need to spend hours scrolling online to find the perfect trip – we’ve done the work for them. It’s time for us, as travel agents, to take the lead in shaping those experiences.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL EVENTS
We are incredibly lucky to have local evening events that keep us connected with the latest industry trends. Unfortunately, I’ve seen some disappointing news this week: agents signing up for events but failing to attend. It’s frustrating and,
frankly, a little embarrassing. While I understand that some cancellations are unavoidable, it’s disheartening when groups of five or six fail to show up. Having worked as a trade
representative for Jet2holidays, I know how demoralising it is when people don’t come, disrupting carefully made plans. These events take time, effort and investment from suppliers who want to support agents like us. So, from one agent to another – please don’t sign up if you don’t intend to go.
Where is everybody?
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Drazen Zigic
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 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
