Hello agents!
Here’s your travel trade roundup — the headlines and updates you need to know this week to stay ahead and make the most of every booking. The mood in the UK trade remains cautiously optimistic: while many travellers are still price-aware and watching budgets, there’s a clear signal that demand remains resilient. As consultants, that means your role as trusted advisor is more crucial than ever. With clients looking for value, reassurance and unique experiences, your expertise is the difference-maker. Let’s dive into what’s been happening in the past seven days, how it affects you, and how you can turn those shifts into bookings.
Industry snapshot
- The latest consumer intention research from the Travel Weekly Insight Report shows that 59% of UK adults say they are likely to book an overseas holiday this year — up significantly year-on-year — yet 54% say they are more concerned about holiday costs than before.
Implication: You can lead clients with reassurance on value, highlight inclusive pricing, and steer them away from “cheap but hidden cost” deals. - According to the same research, all-inclusive accommodation remains in strong demand, particularly among parents: 77% of parents planning an overseas trip now indicate they’d choose all-inclusive.
Implication: Make sure you’re familiar with current all-inclusive deals, and position them as a “worry-free” option for families. - The global travel and tourism sector is projected to grow strongly in 2025, with international visitor spending expected to reach $2.1 trillion — surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Implication: The market backdrop is positive — use this to build agency confidence and share positive messaging with clients. - Despite global growth, one key destination market for the UK — the USA — has seen UK arrivals down 7% in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, though the culprit is likely calendar timing rather than demand.
Implication: While you shouldn’t shy away from US bookings, set realistic expectations and watch holiday-timing and exchange-rate factors. - Agencies are set to “shine” in 2025 thanks to their trusted-advisor role, according to industry predictions.
Implication: This is your moment. Emphasise your value, expertise, and service — the human touch will matter. - Regulatory and structural change remains on the horizon. For example, the Department for Business and Trade is consulting on changes to the Package Travel Regulations.
Implication: Keep abreast of these changes. Make sure your terms, conditions and client communications remain compliant and clear. - While demand is strong, cost of living pressures are clearly front-of-mind for clients: nearly half cite price as their main deciding holiday factor.
Implication: You’ll need to emphasise value, budgets, payment-plans and transparency more than ever. - The travel trade is seeing fewer cancellations and healthy forward bookings for certain regions — for example, to the US and transatlantic sector reported “no cancellations or changes” in a recent quarter.
Implication: This supports proactive pitching of medium-haul destinations and gives you confidence to aim for forward bookings. - A positive note for the cruise and holiday sector: Saga Group reported bookings up and load-factors ahead of last year for its cruise operations (95% for ocean, 93% for river) in its first trading update.
Implication: Use this as a hook when talking to clients open to cruises or older-age demographics. - As high street travel retail continues to evolve, the notion of being the ‘trusted travel advisor’ rather than just a booking agent is increasingly emphasised across trade commentary.
Implication: Position your consultancy as a value-added service – highlight your expertise, personalised service, and after-care.
Destination of the Week: Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
This week I’d like to shine a light on the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland — a compelling proposition for UK-based clients seeking accessible, experience-rich travel. With its dramatic coastal scenery, authentic local culture and relative proximity from the UK, it ticks multiple boxes for those looking for ‘something different’ without ultra-long flights. It’s emerging in trade coverage as a boutique-experience region that fits well with wellness breaks, outdoor-focused couples, and multi-generational families who want nature, slow pace and unique stays.
As a consultant you can market it by framing the story: imagine clients driving the scenic route, staying in charming countryside cottages, sampling artisan food, witnessing raw Atlantic wildness, and returning refreshed. Use phrases such as “off the beaten track but totally accessible” and “a road-trip with personality”. Package with local boutique hotels, small-group activities (surfing, kayaking, coastal walks), and transferable direct flights from UK regional airports. Emphasise the value differential versus long-haul, the authentic experiences, and the post-luxury feel.
Consultant Opportunity
Booking trends point toward shorter-haul Europe and boutique active stays gaining traction as clients seek meaningful experiences closer to home. You could create a mini-campaign around “European Experience Escapes — 2 to 4 nights active stays” for clients who might previously have aimed for 7+ nights in long-haul. Write some templated emails and social posts now, highlight early-bird offers, and tie into local airport convenience.
Also worth noting: training and knowledge refresh around cruise options outside the usual big ships is an opportunity. With older-demographic bookings rising and proven strong load-factors for operators like Saga, you might specialise in “small-ship/boutique cruise breaks” for that segment. Attend a cruise supplier webinar, get comfortable with niche cruise offers, and market that as your speciality — it differentiates you in a busy market.
Skill of the Week: The “Value-Add Conversation”
As independent consultants your strength lies in conversation, trust and personalisation — not just price. This week let’s focus on framing the value-add when speaking with clients who are budget-sensitive.
Step 1: Ask open questions to uncover underlying motives:
“What’s your ideal travel experience this year?”
“If cost wasn’t the limiting factor, what would you choose?”
This surfaces their real drivers → maybe it’s “time together as family”, or “trying something new”, rather than simply lowest price.
Step 2: Pivot from “here’s cheapest” to “here’s better value”.
Use phrases like:
“I’ve found this option that falls slightly above your initial budget, but it gives you X (fewer flights, better location, half-board included) — it means we avoid hidden costs and you’ll have more room to enjoy the trip.”
Step 3: Reinforce your role as advisor and peace-of-mind provider.
For example:
“What I’ll do for you is monitor the price, alert you to any better deal, and we’ll secure now with a flexible deposit. You won’t have to worry — I’ll handle the details.”
This conversation differentiates you, reinforces your value, and builds trust. Over time clients will see you as worth paying slightly more for, because you solve the “value + security” equation.
Motivation Boost
“Your expertise turns a holiday into a legacy moment.” – Jamie Wake
This week, remember: every booking you make creates a memory that clients will cherish, and your advice saves them stress, time and dip-in-the-unknown risk. You’re in a privileged position — you know the suppliers, you know the pitfalls, you can craft the experience. Stay proactive, reach out to past clients, ask for referrals, and lean into your unique voice. The bookings you help bring together today are the trust you bank for tomorrow.
Blog Round-Up
Here are this week’s posts from our community blog:
Thank you for your dedication and adaptability — staying informed and proactive is what sets you apart. Keep leveraging these insights, adapting your conversations and refining your focus.
With you, every step of the journey – Ava Wake
