Travel Counsellor franchisees now number 65 in the UAE, running corporate and leisure travel businesses remotely. The momentous month marks a 62% increase on the company’s previous highest grossing month of May 2019. Holly McCann, General Manager of Travel Counsellors UAE, said, “Working flexibly has ensured our business owners have retained customers throughout the pandemic, but this latest spike in sales has been driven by huge demand for travel during the UAE school spring break. “Our top-selling destination was the Maldives, accounting for over 60% of the revenue, followed by UAE staycations which accounted for just over 20%. An additional 10% were bookings for travel to the Seychelles.” The most popular UAE staycation destinations booked were Dubai and Fujairah. The company further reports that over 80% of the bookings made in March were due to depart in the same month or in April 2021. McCann predicts that this last-minute booking pattern is here to stay in the UAE travel market. McCann added, “47% of the customers who booked with Travel Counsellors UAE in March were first-time bookers with us, reflecting customers’ desire for personalised advice from a trusted travel professional. With travel restrictions continuing across the globe, testing and potential quarantine requirements to navigate, the value of placing travel plans in the hands of an expert has been proven, and never felt more important, than in the last 12 months. “Drawing on extensive experience and up-to-the-minute travel information, our Travel Counsellors take the time to talk through clients’ personal preferences, provide guidance pre, during and post-travel, and offer a 24/7 service, leaving travellers free to focus on enjoying their break or a seamless business trip.”
Read More »Travel Counsellors report hike in holiday travel in November
Travel Counsellors UAE has reported more new bookings were made throughout the month of November 2020 than in November 2019 with sales climbing to 114% of the figures achieved during the same period last year. Holly McCann, General Manager of Travel Counsellors UAE said, “The spike in sales is driven by Travel Counsellors customers pent up demand. Our top selling destination in November was The Maldives and the vast majority of those bookings are travelling within the next 4 weeks. This along with the continued trend towards residents enjoying staycations in the country means that we have seen our trading here very quickly bounce back to pre-covid levels.” Katie McMichael, Marketing Manager said, “The campaign reflects the feelings customers now have towards travel, with many seeing the new year as an opportunity to experience the bucket-list destinations they’ve always dreamed of, whilst others naturally remain cautious, preferring to travel closer to home and the short haul destinations featured on our 2021 list. The recurring theme, however, is the real requirement to book through an experienced travel professional, who will be available to handle any changes to travel arrangements throughout.” McCann added, “Leisure customers and corporate clients who have been unable to travel this year have witnessed first-hand how their Travel Counsellor has looked after every element of their trip, taken care of all amendments, and in many cases rebooked their well-earned break or business trip for a later date. They’ve seen the true value of being able to rely on real, personalised one-to-one advice, feel completely cared for and been able to take advantage of the knowledge base of a global community of nearly 2000 travel professionals, who have come …
Read More »