Agents call for protection

SUPPLIERS protecting commission has been ranked by travel agents as the most helpful initiative to help them manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their business, in the TD Business Support Poll.

The survey found 77.2% of respondents highlighted protecting commission as helpful, followed by flexible supplier cancellations (69.8%), positive news stories (66.1%) & help with business financial support (58.7%).

On the other end of the scale, only 8.5% of respondents said investment in training and development would be helpful and new promotions and deals to sell, flexible workplace conditions and increased internal communications from head office were all seen as helpful by 14.3%.

The majority of participants are anticipating the current durntown in business will last three to six months (61.4%), while 29.6% are expecting it to last seven to 12 months, and 6.3% are estimating only one to two months.

Some agents are also finding positives from the current crisis, with many emphasising that it is highlighting the value of a travel agent to clients - and those who didn’t book with an agent - with many echoing AFTA’s old tagline “without a travel agent, you’re on your own”.

Respondents also said the crisis has brought out the community spirit of the travel industry, with one saying “no matter who you are in the industry I’ve realised we have all come together to help and guide each other through these times”.

Others said people in quarantine will build their desire to travel, resulting in pent up demand once restrictions are lifted and some are taking the extra time to work on things in their business, including restructuring policies and procedures.