Arundel Travel, Otley

Arundel Travel, Otley
Yorkshire’s Top Agency 2020

Now into its third year, Otley’s Arundel Travel is a modern, forward-thinking business that doesn’t lose sight of traditional core values and responsibilities of a first-class travel agent.

Director Helen Parry steers the outfit; she has more than 20 years’ travel industry experience across retail and tour operations with Thomson and Jet2holidays. Her commitment to the business and her small but experienced team, which also includes husband and fellow director Nick, is unwavering.

Based in a listed building on the corner of a busy junction in the centre of Otley, Arundel Travel is a physical and societal focal point of the town.
The agency invests about 70% of its marketing spend in the community, sponsoring local sporting events, the town’s carnival, Rotary curry night and more. It is also a member of Otley Chamber and Otley Bid, and makes annual fundraising contributions to several charities.

The store closes on Wednesday mornings for dedicated product training with different travel suppliers so the team can offer clients the latest updates.

As a result, Arundel Travel has greatly broadened its holiday offering over the past year and built stronger ties with tour operators and cruise lines, allowing them to tap into great incentives for clients.

The agents also grasp every opportunity to experience new hotels, resorts, destinations and ships for themselves, and when they get home, they write up a blog post to share online with clients.

Daily catch-ups allow Helen to identify the team’s needs and skill gaps so she can encourage and arrange any necessary training.

The shop is tastefully dressed, making the most of its broad frontage for inspirational window displays and offers, two of which are always handwritten, while Arundel has cleverly worked with a range of suppliers on monthly campaigns to produce timeless window boards.

It is a warm, comfortable, contemporary and welcoming place to book a holiday where there is always a cheery smile, comfy sofa and kettle on standby – and sometimes a bottle of fizz!

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