TravelSolutions Guernsey: South West’s Top Agency 2017

Five new staff joined in January from a closed Hays Travel branch on the island and proved their popularity when a drinks party designed to introduce customers and suppliers to the new-look shop was attended by more than 200 people.

The stylish redesign of the store has included expansion into the premises next door to create more space downstairs, while private rooms upstairs offer confidentiality or the chance to really help a customer plan their ideal break. Moreover, a view of the port and mooring cruise ships offers a perfect conversation starter. The work has been matched online where a redesigned website has no bookings facility but instead drives customers to make further enquiries to shop staff keen to sell them a perfectly-tailored trip.

The year also saw directors Fred and Amanda Eulenkamp launch a wedding service with one member of staff taking a diploma in weddings and events management in order to run it. Specialist wedding brochures are now available too. Such attention to service is typical of the business, which employs its own training and compliance manager while operating a management programme.

This, plus a real focus on service, means staff are on first-name terms with most customers and regularly hand-deliver tickets or come in on a day off to meet their needs. TravelSolutions staff each make overseas familiarisation trips every year and share their findings in-house, and attend as many supplier evenings as possible to stay abreast of product updates. Information is then shared with customers in the monthly e-shots, offering everything from destination news to special offers.

Islanders will be familiar with the brand thanks to the company’s sponsorship of Island FM’s local cruise feature, while staff are keen to do their bit for the community they live and work in. In 2016 the company donated £1,500 in travel vouchers to various good causes, and its pro bono work for Guernsey FC helps the team travel to matches.