Above: Alastair (centre) with Travellers Choice Network Development Manager Paul Millan and TC Business Development Manager Paula Moylan
Q: How do you think the travel industry is looking as we move into 2025?
A: Overall, I can see in the media and from the big company half-year results that there are challenges out there. But in the high-spend segment of the market we are seeing strong growth.
The number of customers with high discretionary spend is growing but as an agent you need to have the right knowledge, experience and service ethics to win their business. I think boutique agents like Travel Your Style will continue to do well in this space.
Q: What are some of the major challenges currently facing travel agents and the industry?
A: Suppliers who don’t see the value of good agents and try and win consumer business direct is a constant irritant. We have even seen some hotels oversees charging an extra fee if the booking comes via an agent because of the perceived ‘extra work.’
Many consumers continue to think they can do it better and cheaper themselves and we need to be better at communicating the value good agents add – but at the same time be confident to charge an appropriate fee.
Socio-political problems beyond our control will always be a threat and we need to retain the resilience born out of Covid to weather these various storms.
(Above) Alastair in Morocco
Q: Why is it important for the future of your business to be part of an agency network?
A: It is clearly more financially sensible to be part of a larger buying group because it allows you to reap commercial benefits. Being part of a community of like-minded agencies also allows you to share experience and seek support when required.
Q: What were the deciding factors that made you pick Travellers Choice?
A: Travellers Choice offered among the best commercial agreements of any alternative I looked at for a business of my size.
It’s membership model also allows me to easily move between different membership packages as my business grows and my needs change.
The opportunity to become part of a company wholly owned by its members was also important because it provides the opportunity as a shareholder to benefit from the company’s ongoing success.
Other factors included the friendliness and support of its member agents, and the fact that I was able to keep the ResWorld back-office system we have invested in.
Q: What is it about the travel industry that you love so much and that keeps you motivated?
A: What could be better than seeing someone enjoy the experience of a lifetime that you created and made possible for them. Plus, I get to travel a lot just to ‘try the product’!
Q: What plans do you have for the future of Travel Your Style?
A: Travel Your Style is part of my Inspire Travel Solutions business, which also owns Morocco destination management company, By Prior Arrangement. We are investing in the By Prior business and looking to provide more travel agents with our unique product and Australian based service.
I am also looking at another business investment – there is so much opportunity in the Australian market.
Q: Finally, do you have any exciting travel plans that you can share with us?
A: I’m off to the south of Spain this month to explore Andalusia – a lot of our Morocco clients go there and I’ve never been.
My wife and I are hosting a small group tour of Morocco in October with a trip to the Sahara – a part of Morocco I am yet to experience and which is on the bucket list.
