Agents told their future is secure as customers turn away from DIY holidays
Former Jet2holidays sales manager Craig Davidson believes the future of travel agents is more secure than ever, because the Covid-19 chaos will turn customers away from DIY holidays.
Craig, who launched his new business, Flexi Reps, one week ago, said: "I know agents are hurting, but they just need to hang on in there.
"It’s devastating for agents at the moment. For months they’ve been working for nothing, trying to rebook and get money back for clients.
"Agents are busier than they have ever been but they’re not earning anything. However, this whole situation proves they are the only people with the knowledge.
"More customers have been affected by this than any other challenge the industry has faced. It’s more devastating than 9/11 or the ash cloud, but it really shows how travel agents are so important.
"I know for a fact that they won’t be DIY-ing their holidays anymore. They’ll be going to a local travel agent, just like Eamonn Holmes said on This Morning a few days ago."
He added: "A lot of stack-’em-high, sell-’em-cheap OTAs are getting a lot of stick at the moment from customers and this again reiterates the importance of travel agents."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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