Agent Diary: ‘January has started with a bang and long may it continue’

We’ve stepped up over the past few years and it seems to have paid off as 2023 started with a bang, says Thompson Travel’s Sharon Thompson.

January has started with a bang and long may it continue.

Give us a break, world, and let us send as many customers on holiday as possible to help rebuild our industry, then bring them home with good memories, few flight delays and stories that will make their friends book too.

Being independent agents who stepped up over the past few years – assisting our customers for no gain – seems to have paid off.

Give us a break, world, and let us send as many customers on holiday as possible to help rebuild our industry

I often quote Walt Disney. He almost failed when he started out and only succeeded because of his determination, foresight and those who stuck by him.

He would say: “If you do what you do well, people will come and bring their friends.”

Taking the plunge

There is no real go-to place this year for adventures, because everyone seems to have dreamt up their best trip ideas, while they had time to think. But it seems that our brains have kicked back into gear, because the phones are ringing.

There is no real go-to place this year for adventures, because everyone seems to have dreamt up their best trip ideas while they had time to think

Couples, families, millennials and multigenerational families are all taking the plunge and booking experiences.

It’s a mix of those who think prices should be like they were in 2019, and those who are prepared to push the boundaries and have trips of a lifetime. “Life is too short” is the common phrase being used. Most people are fed up and are really only concerned about the state of our NHS – and rightly so.

Add-on issues

However, another travel-specific issue has been the withdrawal of Blue Insurance selling to agents in Northern Ireland, and across the UK. I understand their reasoning when many agents stopped selling during the pandemic, but not now. It’s a fantastic ancillary product, especially as it means clients are so well protected.

Further problems are being caused by the red tape around UK rules and insurance exams, which are all adding to the workload. It has been worth it, though – we have paid salaries from the monies earned on insurance sales.

In contrast, Ireland has no such red tape and agents there can sell without issues – maybe there is room to start selling insurance again.

Further problems are being caused by the red tape around UK rules and insurance exams, which are all adding to the workload

One recent customer was certainly glad she booked insurance through us. She had to cancel a booking worth £14,000 and was fully covered with an excess of £150. The cancellation cover with her bank account policy was just £3,000. The cancellation cover she bought through us was for £20,000.

Also, the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulations on insurance sales tell us to “treat customers fairly”. How can we send clients off without mentioning the pitfalls of not having insurance or of knowing their cover is not fit for purpose?

If there is an insurance company from the UK or Ireland willing to discuss cover for NI residents, please get in touch.

[One of our customers] had to cancel a booking worth £14,000 and was fully covered with an excess of £150

Finally, we don’t book much airport parking, but the feedback from customers is that prices have become ridiculous. Clients prefer to park but are taking lifts and buses.

The bottom line is that we will sell it for the airports – if we are rewarded for it.

Thank you for charity efforts

We are delighted to announce that our raffle in aid of the Children’s Cancer Unit Belfast has raised £16,300. We are so thankful for the prizes from suppliers and support from all those who booked tickets. The money raised will buy four special robots to be used by sick children. While the kids are in hospital getting treatment, their robots enable them to be in the classroom at school virtually, and can be controlled by an iPad, so the youngsters can participate in lessons. We’re delighted that our 30th anniversary year has started with such a wonderful cause. Watch this space fornew announcements as our anniversary continues.