Key account manager Bev Philpotts took a break from the road to chat with us about her "fantastic" first peaks with Travelsphere & Just You, turn-of-year sales momentum, and how the brands keep finding ways to surprise agent partners
Naturally, the last month or so on the road has been "very, very busy", but Bev has enjoyed going beyond the standard shop visit and swag drop. "I love meetings—but the range of in-store activity, various bits and pieces going on... like webinars and podcasting, have given us a whole host of different options this peaks.
"It hasn't been one-size-fits-all: I love that variety. For me, it's about finding as many ways to get in front of our agent partners as possible."
Bev isn't the only one relatively new to the Travelsphere and Just You world; while plenty of agents she has been visiting "are booking all the time and know the product," she has "met plenty of agents who, even by their own admission, might not have thought of us as a first choice in touring. That has what has been so rewarding this peaks especially."
With agents delivering a rewarding peaks for Travelsphere & Just You's road team, it is only right that the team repay the favour, in the form of rewards worth celebrating, ranging from Greggs sausage rolls to Louboutin shoes. "Celebration is really important: everyone is so busy at this time of year. As well as our main incentives that are on the trade Facebook page every week, we are doing our own little ones as part of a 'Surprise & Delight' scheme.
"It can just be simple things... it is a lovely thing to do to make agents feel noticed, and as well as those big giveaways, having those smaller offers as well is important."
Besides smiling faces unpacking sausage rolls and red-bottomed shoes, Bev has heard "quite mixed" feedback on the high street when it comes to turn-of-year sales. "For some branches, it just hasn't quite picked up yet, but then others have been very busy."
Regardless of whether or not sales performance has matched expectations, the operator is taking insights from their discussions with agents. "What we are hearing is that agents who have never made bookings with us before are starting to do so, or those who have previously only looked at Travelsphere are beginning to explore Just You and vice versa."
That encouragement is backed up by momentum behind Just You's burgeoning solo offering, which Bev revealed is outstripping growth across most sectors. "Solo is such a different way to travel... for agents who are new to solo, it is about recognising that... it is a different demographic."
Both touring and solo product come with a perceived barrier for entry, with agents often reporting they need to feel like experts before they get the confidence to sell. Worry not!
"If agents haven't sold touring before, there is that element of needing to really understand and get up-to-date knowledge on that sector in particular. As a trade team, we are starting up group webinars each month throughout the whole of the year with top tips on finding the confidence to sell these products, and we are always on hand to meet enquiries and unpack bookings if agents need any support.
"I always say: agents don't have to be experts, that is what we are here for."
Beverley Philpotts is a key account manager for Travelsphere and Just You.
