Travel Counsellors is reporting a week-on-week increase in sales, with bookings made in the first two weeks of June surpassing the total made in the month of April.
With sixty percent of the company’s business owners converting new enquiries to bookings in the last seven days, UK breaks are still high on the agenda making up over half of the company’s customer enquiries received last week.
The figures come as Travel Counsellors latest customer survey revealed over fifty percent of customers feel optimistic about booking a UK or international trip departing later this year or next, with thirty percent of those with an international trip booked later this year still hopeful they will travel.
The company also reports a growing trend towards customers seeking winter sunshine later this year and for early 2021, with seven out of ten bookings made last week to destinations in the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. The Mediterranean continues to be a Summer 2021 hotspot, with Spain and Greece being the most popular destinations for Travel Counsellor customers.
The survey of nearly 400 respondents further highlighted customer concerns for travel, with seventy percent saying that they’re seeking clarification on quarantine restrictions in both the UK and their outbound destination, as well as further information on the health and safety measures being implemented by airports, airlines and accommodation providers in resort. Sixty percent of Travel Counsellor customers also said they would like to hear more details on flexible options when making a booking for later this year.
Travel Counsellors UK MD and CCO, Kirsten Hughes said, “We’re seeing positive signs that as lockdown eases in destinations across the globe, customers are considering their options for travel this year and next, with many telling their Travel Counsellor they’re craving something to look forward to and the opportunity to see extended family and friends again on UK breaks and further afield.
“It’s clear that customers still have concerns over the current quarantine restrictions in the UK and in other countries, and as trusted travel advisers we’re supporting our business owners to show care to their customers and a highly personalised service with the latest advice and guidance on travel restrictions, keeping traveller health, safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.
New bookings for Travel Counsellors have also been supported by the company’s recently launched ‘TC Flexible Promise’, enabling free amendments to trips up to eight weeks before departure on selected packages, applicable to new bookings for next year.
Hughes continues; “Understandably travellers are looking for the most flexible options possible for trips towards the end of this year and next, and we’ve been working closely with all our supplier partners to understand the best opportunities available based on our customers personal preferences.
“It has been essential for us to support our Travel Counsellors to be there for their customers throughout this period, giving them all the tools and information they need to provide the latest travel advice during a time of continuous change. It’s during this crisis that the value of a caring, trusted travel adviser has been proved beyond doubt, as customers need the reassurance that comes from being able to rely on professional and reliable experts, who will always be available for them as borders across the globe begin to gradually open again.
“When the crisis hit our business owners were already highly experienced in looking after their customers from home offices, and over the last few weeks we’ve heard customers express a huge amount of relief and further appreciation for their Travel Counsellor in providing care and advice that goes beyond the nine to five.”
The company further reports that seventy percent of new bookings made last week were sourced from personalised marketing content created in tandem with supplier partners, with a focus on UK staycation experiences proving most popular with Travel Counsellors customers.
