Almost half the UK’s travel agents saw sales drop last quarter - here’s how Holiday Extras thinks it can help

At the end of last year, Holiday Extras conducted a survey to gauge the general feeling within the travel industry by asking agents how they felt. The results showed that 44 per cent have seen a major decline in the amount of people who are travelling. And 42 per cent of those asked said they’ve noticed an obvious decrease in customer spending - showing that holidaymakers are watching every last penny when it comes to booking their getaway.

Traditionally, the beginning of the year signals the peak holiday booking period. And although the research by Holiday Extras shows that customers are tightening their belts in 2012, it doesn’t mean travel agents have to lose out on extra revenue.

In the first month of 2012, Holiday Extras revealed that despite tougher market conditions, bookings through some of its retail partners had more than doubled compared to the previous year. One agent had increased partner sales by a massive 227 per cent year on year during the previous 12 months.

This demonstrates that agents can increase ancillary sales and earn additional income from each customer who comes into their store or visits their website.

Andrea Clayton, Head of Insurance and Travel Trade Partnerships at Holiday Extras, commented: “There are many ways, including the above, in which retail agents can stay buoyant during a downturn; whether it’s streamlining your approach to business, sharpening your sales techniques or capitalising on existing customers.”