Deben Travel, Woodbridge

Deben Travel, Woodbridge
East of England’s Top Agency 2020

This year marks this impressive business’s third as top agency in the east of England. Its friendly team, headed by owner Lee Hunt, ensures a warm welcome for customers, while nifty technology such as VR headsets helps get clients quickly into the holiday mood by enabling them to experience a raft of different destinations from the comfort of their seat.

Deben Travel isn’t just about whizzy gadgets, though, it also keeps a selection of reading glasses at the ready for clients with poor eyesight as well as a well-stocked supply of dog treats, plus sweets to keep children busy. And its customer service extends far beyond the shop – tickets and brochures are regularly hand-delivered, while a record is kept of customer birthdays so cards can be sent. Meanwhile honeymooning clients are automatically booked into airport lounges, and greeted by flowers and wine when they return home. Little wonder then that Deben Travel boasts a 70% repeat rate. The agency was even mentioned in the eulogy of one customer who sadly passed away.

Training is key for the six-strong team, who keeps up to date with product developments through online webinars and educational trips. Staff also regularly examine where there are gaps in their knowledge to know which destinations to focus on next.

The team writes up educational trips for a local monthly magazine while a total refresh of Deben Travel’s website has also seen a new travel blog section added. A new client review section has also been created to encourage customer feedback.

The agency is equally as passionate about its environmental footprint. It has replaced all store lights with LED bulbs while staff take time to personally find out about local options while on educational trips to ensure customers are supporting communities in the destinations they visit.

Most impressive of all, though, is the agency’s planting of 737 trees in November last year – one for every passenger it sent on holiday in 2019.

debentravel.co.uk