A travel agent poll conducted on social media showed that 92.7% of travel agents feel that now more than ever they needed face to face visits and support from field sales teams.
The poll was conducted by Flexi Reps, a new travel trade temping agency for industry field sales managers which launched last month. Around 260 travel agents on a travel agent only Facebook page and LinkedIn responded to questions about increasing face-to-face visits, as well as their requirements from meetings with the field sales teams of suppliers.
Carol Ann, an agent from Hays Travel in Hornchurch, said, ?It?s so helpful when the reps come in, they show us all the tips on their website, give us incentive and destination information, [it's] invaluable.?
Commenting on the poll result, Craig Davidson, who lauched Flexi Reps, added, ?We instinctively know agents need to be kept up to date on product, incentives, campaigns and new COVID protocols. Tour operators are switching capacity and adding new destinations, cruise itineraries are shifting, and destination offerings are changing. At the same time, consumers are turning to travel agents more than ever for advice. We understand fully why costs have had to be cut but would urge brands to think about their trade strategy.?
