Agent Diary: We strive to ensure the trips we are invited on pay dividends for all involved

These wonderful experiences are more than a jolly – there is a commercial reason to them, says Ponders Travel’s Clare Dudley

I am channelling my inner travel journalist and writing this article from the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, just down the coast from Paphos. I’m with my two daughters and we’re having the very best time.

We were very kindly given a three-night complimentary stay during a training evening I attended several months ago.

Not for the first time on this trip, I have found myself thinking ‘How lucky are we?’ This industry just keeps on giving and its generosity knows no bounds. But of course it’s not just a case of accepting these wonderful experiences for the sake of having a jolly – there is a commercial reason to them.

Some people outside the industry might question whether it is worthwhile for hoteliers, operators, cruise lines, tourist boards and airlines to fund such incredible perks for agents. I say absolutely it is, and I’m sure many of you will agree.

Payback booking

As an example, last year I went on the trip of a lifetime with CroisiEurope to Africa. It was a cruise I hadn’t sold before but really wanted to. Now, in November, I am chartering a whole departure and will be escorting a group of 16 on the same trip. That’s what I call a result – and I would hope CroisiEurope feels the same.

Here in Cyprus, at this truly beautiful and lavish hotel, I am reminded of the beauty of this island. I will most definitely be telling all my VIP clients about the Cap St Georges as I think they will love it. We have not sold a lot to Cyprus recently but we sure will do now I have seen more of it first-hand and experienced it for myself.

One of my girls in the shop took her first cruise this year and was so nervous; she didn’t think she would like this type of holiday. But she found herself loving it as soon as she got on board and was even contacting a few group leaders we work with to recommend they bring their groups on board as she felt they would love it too.

For every hotel, cruise line, airline and country that has ever given me or one of my team a trip, we have done our utmost to show our gratitude in the form of sales and referrals. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we only sell what we have tried and tested ourselves – far from it – but does it pay dividends? It certainly does.

We also love the ship visits that allow us to bring our clients on board for lunch. They are so valuable and provide brilliant results. And finally, we love a hosted event where we invite our clients so they can learn about the brand too. They feel a bit like show-and-tell at school!

Celebration time

Many of you know I am celebrating my 40th year in travel and the trips our team have been offered and been on this year are quite simply incredible – there have been more than I have ever known!

Sadly, we have had to decline two amazing trips, both to Canada, but being a small team, we can’t always accept every offer. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

So thank you, lovely suppliers, for all the amazing trips and opportunities you present us with. We love them and we will always be sure to make sure they bring bookings as a result.

Tears and cheers for 40 years

I want to thank my amazing team at Ponders. They surprised me recently with a fantastic evening to celebrate my 40th year in travel and I even had 40 presents to open!

They made a video in which many of my travel friends congratulated me, which was so touching. My favourite gifts were the personal letters from each of the team thanking me for their part in the Ponders journey. It was so humbling.

There were a lot of tears and a huge amount of love on the night. Every day I am grateful for the team I have. We laugh, we cry, we inspire and we delight. But most of all, we work together and support each other daily.