Travel agents are being urged to stay focused on the business opportunities presented by domestic breaks.
p>Travel agents are being urged to stay focused on the business opportunities presented by domestic breaks. The ABTA UK Leisure Group says that demand for UK holidays is again high this year and agents need to continue promoting and selling UK breaks on top of overseas holidays.
The group?s chair, Zena Calderbank, said: ?Last year was a great year for the UK, but it was not a one-off. It was the year many people rediscovered UK holidays. This year is turning into the year that they come back, seduced by the variety of accommodation, facilities and activities available. More short breaks are being taken in the UK than ever before.
?Even though operators are working hard to get holidaymakers travelling abroad once again, there is a real opportunity for agents to tap into additional business because of this new-found enthusiasm for the UK.
?For example, a mature couple who take a cruise or a city break could well also take a UK coach tour or a short break in a cottage or hotel; a family booking a holiday to Orlando may well also take a half-term break self-catering or in a holiday park. A young couple going to the Caribbean may well also be in the market for a London theatre break
?The business is there for the taking ? but agents will only grab it if they are pro-active in promoting the UK alongside other types of holidays. Once the customer has found a travel agent they are happy to book with and which has given good service, they are open to using that agent?s expertise and buying power to find the right UK break as well ? but only if the opportunity is offered to them.?
