FRONTLINE
sharon thompson owner, Thompson Travel, Portadown, Northern Ireland
It’s been a weird start to the year with
peaks and troughs in sales, yet monthly targets have been met. The arrival of March signalled
winter’s end, and the weather has been more akin to early May. Dry, sunny days have inspired me to get outdoors and explore nature and, going by recent footfall, it has had the same effect on our customers. The local seaside areas and forest parks are bustling and footfall in the town has fallen.
Fine spring weather makes some of our customers want to stay at home over the summer, others know how unpredictable the British weather can be, which only spurs them on to book a warm break.
WAITING GAME
It would be fair to say the world is in a bit of a mess right now and with so much media focus on tensions in the Middle East and eastern Europe, some people seem to be waiting until things have settled down on the geopolitical front before travelling further afield. The irony of unsettled times in the US is that it’s a pretty good time to visit from a financial point of view, as the dollar crept back up to 1.30 this week. Canada is even better for travellers right now, with the Canadian dollar peaking at 1.85. Despite our footfall dipping a
little over the past few weeks, our sales have increased – those long- haul, higher-end bookings have
22 27 MARCH 2025 AGENT
Sales have been buoyed by a rise in long-haul, higher-end bookings amid a dip in footfall
done the trick. There’s always a way to keep the bookings coming in with savvy marketing.
Winter sun runs to the end of late
Easter, so there’s plenty of time for the sunseekers to experience new destinations with direct flights – or fit in a winter city break. There are some exciting ship launches on the horizon and we’re thankful for the invitations to experience new developments in this constantly growing industry. However, there is little incentive to focus on some cruise lines, who are slashing commission. It is happening all too often. We spend years switch-selling and building
sales to have it suddenly cut from under our noses. It feels a bit like they’re saying, “We don’t need you anymore.” We continue to support those who recognise independent agents as a great asset to their growth and we work closely with them to maximise our return.
TRIPS AND SHIPS As I write this, I really should be packing. The next few months are jam-packed with fam trips and ship launches. We need to maximise sales and keep the office staffed while maintaining our focus on embracing all things new. In a couple of days I’ll be taking
a group from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi. With little rainfall, Vietnam is one of my favourite destinations in spring. Six days after my return I will head to Japan with another group to see the cherry blossom. The Far East is excellent during
our winter. It’s already on sale for 2026, so this is a good time to maximise sales with great operators that have a wealth of knowledge. Later in spring I’ll be back at the
First World War battlefields, one of my favourite short trips with groups. A quick flight, poignant experiences and Belgian beer, plus reverence and respect where and when it’s required, make it very special.
SOW THE SEEDS FOR SUCCESS
I sometimes feel like I give away my own sales tips in these columns, but you can only sell what you know or have experienced. Independent agents have all found their ‘niche’ over the years and we are still here. It’s all about not
putting your eggs in one basket, and being inventive. Every day is a school day, even after 32 years of experience. Our industry needs to maximise the routes we have and keep the direct flights to fantastic destinations. We are much stronger together, which is especially the case in our
regional – but fantastic area – of Northern Ireland. Spring has arrived, so plant the seeds that could give you excellent growth for the rest of the year!
Spring is in the air
travelweekly.co.uk
AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen AndreaJenniferColin Clare Helen diary diary
Sharon Sharon
PICTURE: Shutterstock/LedyX
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