What Makes a Reliable Travel Agent?
After so much uncertainty in the 2020s regarding world travel, how do you know that your next holiday plans will be secure and your agent will answer your calls?
This was among the topics recently discussed with Admiral Travel’s Director Andrew Nelson during his appearance on Strawberry Radio.
From Boats to Sure Thing
Andrew established Admiral Travel almost 25 years ago, leaving his job in civil engineering after his family travelled to Tenerife. After finding work selling boats for an ambitious man who wanted to expand his business across the island, Andrew was persuaded to serve as the English agent, handling the growing enquiries from England.
With the surname Nelson and a new path born from boat sales, it was only natural that the business would establish Admiral Travel, founding its first shop in Altrincham in 2001.
How the Travel Industry Has Changed
One of the biggest talking points on Strawberry Radio was the impact of technological changes and the growing emergence of AI on the travel industry. As with everything, technology has presented some of the biggest changes, with the previous paper-based forms of travel agency now taking a more digital approach.
The ability to have everything quicker in terms of confirmations, a more structured and straightforward approach to tailoring a holiday experience or fine-tuning it to individual taste and preference, has certainly made bookings easier for everyone in-store or online.
Now, with AI making its way into the travel industry, many are fearing that it could replace the more physical aspect of travel agencies altogether. However, Andrew feels very different.
The true benefit of AI for the travel sector and agencies is assisting marketing and providing tailor-made solutions. As a long-established and running agency, those who can see the benefits don’t believe it will become all-encompassing, but understand how it can work alongside traditional values and techniques.
Resurgence of Travel Agents
As everyone knows, the travel industry was decimated by the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, causing many careers in the industry to be wiped out and untold financial losses.
This period saw everyone, from low-cost carriers that could not refund to online travel agents that could not be contacted by clients, struggle to meet expectations forced on them. While many services and online businesses were going under, as well as independent agents, Admiral Travel stayed committed to every customer and remained open where permitted to navigate through the storm.
Every staff member dealt with each customer over the phone to move holidays or reimburse those who requested it. The importance of the customer base and dedication to ensuring satisfaction is what kept Admiral Travel’s value in the travel business, and brought those same customers back.
New Store/New Adventures
With Admiral’s fifth store now opening in Wilmslow, Andrew has his sights set on bringing more value to those seeking the perfect holiday destination.
Following two stores in the South Manchester/Cheshire area and a further two in Cumbria, Admiral Travel’s location in Wilmslow sees it as the only travel agent in this high-value area. Research into the area, including the types of surrounding businesses and clientele, has made it an exciting prospect for high-value holidays such as a world cruise, without excluding those who fancy a cheap city break.
Popular/Emerging Holidays for 2025 and Beyond
Of course, you cannot host a travel agency without getting the inside scoop on where it is popular, or where the emerging scenes are to be this next year.
Japan has seen the most surprising surge of bookings this year, with the land of the rising sun becoming the land of the spiking holiday interest. Among the most popular in Morocco is Marrakech, which has drawn appeal as a city break destination with a short flight and great value for money.
The increase of solo holidays has taken hold this year, with many exploring America and Asia. As for the biggest increase in holiday getaways, it is Cruises. Never before have there been more cruise break holidays than there are currently in 2025, with more ships being built and more destinations being added.
Ocean and river cruises are at high levels of popularity, with the ability to take cruises that include up to four capital cities (such as the Douro or Danube) that offer a more laid-back experience. River cruises are currently going through the roof for these destinations, as well as cruises on German and French rivers, and as far away as the Mississippi and the Yangtze.
The Admiral Travel Difference
What makes Admiral Travel different? Well, for one, there is the experience. Some of the staff are the same people who have been coming to work since the opening 24 years ago.
Admiral works to give more value and better customer service, an essential in today’s highly competitive travel scene. As Andrew states, they still check people in, complete boarding cards, produce tickets, wallet, luggage labels – and most importantly, they are there if there is a problem, and fight your corner if something hasn’t gone right in terms of the holiday.
As a larger part of the Hayes Travel Group, Admiral Travel has enormous buying power and the ability to compete with online, high street and tour operators in matching on most occasions or tell you straight if they cannot. Transparency is key to enjoying a fantastic holiday.
Honesty, customer service and reliability. Open seven days a week, and always ready to provide an unforgettable experience with the extra mile added.
Contact Admiral Travel today to ensure your next holiday destination meets your expectations and goes beyond.
