Diversify to survive, travel agents are warned

● Business boss blames internet for decline in firms offering flights

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

0 Clubbers in Ibiza, which is at risk of losing out to Greece as a destination for young revellers probably not enough for the customer.”

While internet-savvy millennials may be turning to the likes of Skyscanner, Kayak and ebookers for flight deals, youngtravellersareapproach- ing 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 Ibiza’s reputation as Europe’s top destination for the UK’S young revellers is at risk as visitors are getting older, figures show.

Travel agent Thomas Cook said that millennials are moving away from the Spanish island in favour of more affordable clubbing experiences in Greece.

Over the past five years, one in six bookings has shifted from those under 30 to those aged 30-39, the firm said.

Many of Ibiza’s former ravers are still making their annual pilgrimage but are now in their 30s with more spending money and changing tastes. 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 2002to2007,addedthatrecent terrorthreatshadalsosparked 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.