Rising holiday prices add to challenges faced by agents

Nearly a third of respondents (31%) to the latest TTG Travel Agent Tracker survey said price increases were among the biggest issues facing their businesses in the two weeks to 12 November, up from around 20% a fortnight earlier.

The burden of testing and additional “hassle” around travel was the number-one challenge for the trade at 65%, followed by the restrictions, rules and testing requirements in-destination (54%).

Also scoring highly were client concerns about testing positive for Covid-19 before or during travel (50%), as well as travel rules changing while they are on their holiday (49%).

One agent told TTG: “Many clients are hesitant to book, so we are spending a lot of time quoting. By the time the client has made a decision, prices have changed or accommodation and flights have sold out.”

Another said a “big issue” in the south-east was a lack of airlines operating from Gatwick, with British Airways yet to resume short-haul flights from the Sussex airport, which meant easyJet was “lacking competition”.