Uk travel agents warned to diversify to survive

Travel agents have been warned to diversify to attract holidaymakers. Picture: LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images)

The boom in online travel'¨sites is contributing to a decline in high street firms offering flights, the head of the '¨UK's largest network of '¨independent travel agents has said.

Advantage Travel Partnership chairman Steven Esom said his organisation, which represents 350 business and leisure travel agents with around 700 outlets across the UK, had been advising  members to diversify their offerings.

Mr Esom said: “Travel agents who only specialise in flights are going to find they’re going very fast.

“It’s about complementing flights with hotels,  experiences and ground  services.

“This is what we’ve been saying to our members... you must really build value, and if you just sell a flight, that’s probably not enough for the customer.”

While internet-savvy millennials may be turning to the likes of Skyscanner, Kayak and  eBookers for flight deals, young travellers are approaching traditional agents to sort out on-the-ground activities.

Mr Esom said: “Quite a few millennials have travelled very, very well with their parents on family holidays and they really understand what they need and what they want.

“So, for instance, they’re looking for more exotic  holidays, they’re looking for more active holidays than their parents did and they’re more demanding because they’re much better travelled.  It is sparking growth in bespoke holidays, cultural and adventure tourism and guided tours, much of which cannot be booked online.

“We’re seeing the  millennials doing their research online but then when it comes to putting it all  together, they’re using a  travel agent,” he said, though also admitting many are opting for remote bookings by phone, rather than visiting the high street.

Mr Esom, a retail veteran who served as the managing director of Waitrose from 2002 to 2007, added that recent  terror threats had also sparked renewed interest in traditional travel services.

He said: “It’s very much a mixed economy now where consumers will buy online for point-to-point travel, especially airline travel.

“But actually we’ve seen growth over the last two to three years of our high street travel agents, and the reason for that is there is so much uncertainty in the world – consumers really want good quality advice.”

Travellers are seeking  advice on alternative holiday destinations, or guarantees they will be offered assistance if caught in dangerous  circumstances, he said.