Holidaysplease?s brand & business growth executive, Cat Reeves, on how things are ?perking? up in travel for agents, and how to deal with the current airport troubles.
As an industry, we are renowned for having a ?job with benefits? and our social calendars were left miserable for far too long over the last couple of years. Although it was far from the primary concern at the time of course, seeing the return of people in travel, in the flesh, doing what they do best (with a glass of wine in their hand!), has been even sweeter for the break.
Smiles are coming back at us from every angle, from the small mercies of receiving those pictures of that long awaited rescheduled, rehashed, reimagined trip from your lovely clients (and possibly those not so lovely - but finally happy!), to the exhilaration of receiving that fam trip invite (fams are back in town!). Things are only going to get perkier!
One slight trough we are facing amongst these peaks is client worries about the airport experience. Airports were hit so badly during the pandemic that the staffing levels were forced to plummet. To correct that balance in a market that has still been a tad unsure, considering that airports have to be very conscientious of background checks (and it is imperative that thorough training is provided), it has proved challenging of late. But us as agents can play an imperative part in calming the storms caused by the hearsay and the media, creating a panic that isn't actually necessary, as problems have actually been in the minority. To avoid those panicked calls from clients, remind them from the start to firstly turn up around the time check in opens (not before!) and to simply dig deep into that travel memory that's probably had a little rest, and remember the basics that keep the security line moving: remove electronics from your bags, ensure liquids are under 100ml and are in a clear, sealable plastic bag, pay attention to what the staff are asking, trust in the processes, and we can all ensure we are through in time for a swift one before finally getting on that plane and creating those pictures of that aforementioned long awaited rescheduled, rehashed, reimagined trip.
For the first time in a while we can get excited again as an industry, and it?s brilliant! No one is promising completely smooth sailing as we attempt to adjust back to the well-oiled machine we once were, but knowing the people I know in this industry, we will keep focused until we get there and we will go further than ever. And if you have had no choice but to step aside during these hard times, know that you would be welcomed back to this industry with welcome arms, and now is the time to soar, particularly in control of your earnings as a homeworker. The sky is the limit!
