The high-flying travel expert going places in new venture
Entrepreneur Zoe says demand for holidays will soon soar again
THE past year may seem one of the worst times to have set up a business, let alone a travel agents, but one plucky entrepreneur says her new venture is really going places.
Zoe Moss, from Earl Shilton, started working as a personal travel agent for The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel in March 2020, just before the first coronavirus lockdown began.
She has had several bookings since, includ- ing eight high-value holidays to destinations including the Maldives, Mauritius, Jamaica, Cyprus and the USA.
The entrepreneur has also arranged for some newlyweds to jet off to the USA and the Caribbean for their honeymoon.
She said: “My personal approach means my customers feel safe even at a time like this, and I’m building lots of interaction online with potential customers.
“Many are cautious about booking at the moment but I believe they will come to me when they are ready.
“I’m seeing that people don’t want to just book something they see online, so I’m hopeful for the future that there will be plenty of opportunities for travel agents like me.
“2021 could be a great year for agents due to pent-up demand for holidays. I feel like I just need to bide my time.”
Ms Moss started business with The her Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel, with no client base, with her first bookings coming in via social media, and from previous customers with whom she had worked over the course of her career, as well as word of mouth recommendations.
The travel expert also helped a few noncustomers with travel queries, as a way to build goodwill and so they remember her when they come to make travel plans in the future.
She has worked in the industry since 1995, mainly selling holidays directly to customers while working at independent agencies, and she worked for a small tour operator selling to travel agents.
In 2016, Ms Moss gave birth to a daughter and chose to end her career in an office or shop environment, after working for the previous eight years as a branch manager for an agency. She said: “Despite the challenges of the last few months, I’m positive about the future of my business. “The help and support from the team at The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel got me off to a great start, and they’ve kept in touch and kept the creative ideas for social media coming so I always have something to say to my customers and followers. “Now my daughter is in school, I’ll have the time to focus on my marketing ideas and keep building my business.”
The businesswoman spoke of how Facebook and Instagram are useful tools for expanding her business.
She said: “I do post offers, but also advice, inspiration and reasons to book with a PTA.
“I was in Kos for a holiday and I posted a video on social media on my return, talking about my experiences travelling and in resort.
“I regularly post video updates on to my social media channels to show there is a personal touch to all that I do.
“I’m joining some local networking meetings soon, and my existing clients are great with referrals, word of mouth and positive reviews for my online platforms. “I had no idea that I was starting a business in what was about to become the most challenging period the travel industry has ever faced, but I’m doing well, and I’m positive and excited about how things will go in the future.”
Visit the Zoe Moss Personal Travel Agent Facebook page for more information.
2021 could be a great year for agents due to pent-up demand for holidays. I feel like I just need to bide my time Zoe Moss