Inspire Group brings in direct debits to help spread holiday costs

Direct debit payments have been introduced by Inspire Group to help support customers and homeworkers through the cost-of-living crisis.

Customers will no longer be offered £1 deposits as the company no longer feels it supports the industry or drives sales.

The new instalment payment scheme will initially be available across Inspire’s Independent Travel Associates (ITAs) and later across all its other sales channels.

Inspire Europe managing director Lisa Henning said the initiative had been put in place to help bolster sales and reduce cancellations.

Henning said: “The main reason for launching the scheme is because customers said that it would be a major benefit, especially during this current cost-of-living crisis.  The other reason is that tour operators have been offering direct debit payment options for some time, and we feel strongly that agents shouldn’t be disadvantaged.

“Our team of independent travel advisors have been really positive about the move and say that they believe it will be a key factor in encouraging more consumers to commit to making bookings. In fact the scheme is already delivering benefits.

“Shortly after we launched it, we secured a £20,000 booking because the customer wanted to pay in instalments.”

She added: “When the industry started offering £1 deposits on holidays it was a way of attracting new business.  However, we feel it’s no longer an effective marketing initiative.”