My year in review - less turbulence in travel

I hope you had a great Christmas and are still enjoying some down time. Here’s my annual newsletter, including a business update.

As news of Omicron broke, with signs of more adversity for our industry on the horizon, a client sent me a?Ted Talk by explorer Mark Pollock. Mark lost his sight aged 22 but went on to become the first blind man to race to the South Pole. Aged 34, he suffered a second tragedy, paralysed after falling from a second storey open window. How do you carry on?! Realism he says. “Optimists rely on hope alone, risking being disappointed and demoralised. The Realists on the other hand accept the brutal facts and keep hope alive as well". So for 2022, I’ll stop whinging about travel restrictions and just get on with what’s in front of me.

This year, I have reshaped my business in response to the continued growth in corporate travel but also diversified in leisure travel to handle more varied holiday requests. Collaborating with other Travel Counsellors has been key. I continue to personally handle executive business travel but on larger corporate accounts, assume the role of Account Manager and have a team of 5 trusted bookers. For holidays, I continue to focus on high end, bucket list trips but share Cruise and Ski holiday enquiries with specialist TCs.

?As I sign off for 2021, I send my best wishes to you all. Check out my news and updates below.

Go Global, Stay Local – an exciting NEW partnership with GlobalStar

Helping us better serve companies that require a global travel provision or wish to consolidate their travel spend.

Companies with global offices often fall into the cycle of jumping from one mega Travel Management Company to another. GlobalStar is an alternative, bringing together a network of boutique TMCs, providing local support with named individuals, all complimented with some of the best tech in the industry. Sound interesting? Let’s talk!

My (NOT SO) little terrorists making the annual holiday photo harder to perform.

In 2022, book a protected package and I’ll simplify any complicated travel requirements, overcome any travel restrictions, or if need be, amend your holiday.?

Once in a lifetime 'pandemic' holidays enjoyed by my clients have included the US, Mexico, Tanzania, Mauritius, Barbados and even French Polynesia! Honeymoons have pivoted from Mauritius to Italy and Hawaii to Canada. Future trips include Thailand, Iceland, Dominican Republic and Vegas.?

A taste of what’s to come

September to November boomed this year. Personal sales just pipped 2019 and were a 105% increase on 2020. ‘Managed Sales’ (those transacted by my team) grew by 78% compared to 2019 and 182% compared to 2020.

Almost all new business has come by way of referral. Who needs Google when you have word of mouth! ?? Passing on my details might seem like a little thing, but I am so grateful for each and every referral. Thank you.?

2021 was far from record breaking BUT Travel Counsellors Globally has a lot to be positive about...

€190m in departures, 150,000 passengers travelled to over 180 countries, 12,000?new?customers made a booking

€238m in sales already for 2022 (34% more than the same point in 2019), 2022 – the average selling price has doubled vs 2021, Over 120,000 passengers are already booked to travel in 2022

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL!!! Here's to tackling whatever 2022 throws at us.