Industry News
It's about having it all!
Last year, around 18 million people opted for do-it-yourself holidays in the mistaken belief that they can arrange their leisure travel not only more flexibly but also cheaper by not using a travel agent. What they don't realise is that in this way they lack protection.
And even though 92% of almost 5,000 holiday consumers questioned by the Civil Aviation Authority considered financial protection for holidays super important, 35% were under the impression that DIY holidays are fully covered.
Make it part of your marketing and create awareness
Tell your existing customers and make sure they understand what a fabulous service they receive, but make a special effort to create awareness in those potential customers out there by telling them where they are missing out, and that they can travel as flexibly (and possibly even cheaper) by arranging their journeys with a bona fide travel agency - you - instead of going for the DIY option.
Piece of mind for your customers
Every traveller who books through a travel agency is ATOL protected which in turn translates into peace of mind throughout their vacation. Make sure that every customer who comes through you door is informed about the advantages of ATOL protection by stressing the importance of their security and your ability to give them that as well as total flexibility. This may well convert enquiries into bookings instead of potential customers using your agency only to get professional advice and then going online to do it themselves.
Your customers won't be left stranded
Being unprotected can cost a lot of money and, for example in the event of a flight cancellation, can even leave travellers stranded abroad. This won't happen to your customers, and they must be told that, by booking through you, they can relax - more important than ever when travelling with family, especially with small children. And it's not at all a question of either/or, of sacrificing flexibility at the altar of security.
Market your unbeatable service - a combination that can't be bettered: best price, custom-made holidays with total flexibility and all the protection ATOL offers. Not only will you convert travellers back from DIY to booking through travel agencies, not only can you create loyalty in this way, but we are sure that they'll tell their friends!
Source: www.travelmole.com article "CAA issues 'DIY' holiday protection warning".
