Catherine Williams from Stow Travel talks about client holidays to the US during peaks season, and how agents can continue to secure those all-important bookings.
I still find it hard to believe that the US borders have only been open a mere two months after a long 20 months of closure. As one of our biggest sellers, it really has been a huge blow to sales and, with prices for 2022 sky rocketing, it has been difficult to rebook cancelled trips.
After the borders first closed in March 2020, our first US traveller here at Stow Travel was actually in the following summer of 2021 ? a client heading to Vegas for an operation. With the borders still closed, we nervously offered to help with the booking. Hours were spent reading travel rules and changing cancelled flights, ending with a sleepless night as our client took off for Vegas via Cancun.
Our next client to travel to the USA departed a good few months later, a long 18 months after his original travel date with his departure making him the first bonafide member of our USA 3rd time lucky club! We, as an agency, were so fortuitous to have a few weeks between the borders opening and our next clients travelling - it meant we could skip the absolute travel chaos we see when a country first opens up again! We closely monitored the situation while hearing the questions flood in ? can you actually travel to the US with a lateral flow test? Where can I find the Attestation form? Where can I get a lateral flow in New York? Thank goodness for the support network of travel agents and USA specialists on social media helping each other out.
As 2022 begins, at a time which used to be called ?peaks?, our thoughts are now fully focused on all our clients eagerly awaiting their turn to head across the pond after moving their departure dates numerous times!
So, here at Stow Travel, it is onwards and upwards! We are thankful for the new bookings, mainly New York, Disney & Vegas which may even get to depart on their first attempt! I really do believe that we now have everything it takes to make 2022 a bumper year for USA travel!
