Agent Diary: Our travel agency will be shut over Christmas as usual

My fully refreshed team will be working at peak performance from January, says Thompson Travel International’s Sharon Thompson

The recent Jet2holidays conference in Cyprus gave me my first sense that Christmas is on its way.

It was a fantastic event, and a big shout-out goes to Jet2 for one of my favourite conferences to date.

So much has been going on this year that Christmas had become distant on my radar.

However, Jet2 managed to put that right, as Christmas tunes belted out along the Paphos coastline and mulled wine and gingerbread houses set our senses aglow.

All of this lifted my spirits and the atmosphere was perfect. As we returned to the UK, I experienced a renewed sense of preparing for new year – as well as partying to end this one.

There are only a few weeks until the big day and it’s easy to become lazy, as a fraction of the normal bookings come in and Christmas parties start totting up.

There’s nothing wrong with wearing a Christmas jumper as we stuff our faces with the chocolates and shortbread that our faithful customers bring in. I would love to request fruit hampers, though, because my waistline has expanded quite enough.

Festive refresh

On a slightly different note, I’ve always run my business on the basis that the other 11 months are the main trading months, while December is the time to relax a little, refresh and renew.

Many agents will cringe as I say this, but in the past 30 years we have closed from December 24 until January 1 inclusive. I have never lost business from doing this and, if I did, I didn’t notice.

While it may be a focus for the multiples or direct-sell operators, I’ve always thought it was the best time to give our team a good break with family and friends.

In the past 30 years we have closed from December 24 until January 1 inclusive

It means I have a fully refreshed team working at peak performance from January 2. You should try it!

We continue to support our local hospital with our pyjama appeal, and that brings new faces through our door – you never know who your next customer could be.

The appeal ran for the first time last year, because I’d heard how many elderly patients go into hospital without pyjamas or even a change of clothes.

It received massive support, so, seeing how much the teams and patients in the hospital appreciated the donations, we knew that we had to do it again this year.

The year ahead

December is a month to focus on everything to do with the new year.

I have been writing ‘2025’ since the beginning of 2024 or earlier, but others will write it for the first time on January 1.

As we already look to what is booked for 2025, we consider the gaps, the possibilities, relationships with new suppliers and the potential to do better.

Our marketing is being set up for our return to the peak selling season and our events calendar is in the planning. The office gets a good old clear-out, and the team can relax in the knowledge that we are good to go in January.

I wish my travel family a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.

A time to count your blessings

We can easily forget the reason for the Christmas season. It’s all about giving and peace on Earth. I often think of the First World War, when soldiers had a Christmas truce for a game of football – many people knew nothing about that until it featured in a Sainsbury’s ad.

Have hope and faith that travel will run smoothly in 2025 and peace will come to the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere. In the words of an old Irish blessing: “The light of the Christmas star to you, The warmth of a home and hearth to you, The cheer and goodwill of friends to you, The hope of a childlike heart to you, The joy of a thousand angels to you, The love of the Son and God’s peace to you.”