this highly respected and well established independent travel agency business has been successfully trading under the same ownership for over twenty five years and in that time it has built up an outstanding reputation in the region based on reliability, trust, quality of services and quality of product. This reputation is backed up by its numerous and impressive accreditations, memberships and awards that it has held for many years. The company’s own specialism is working with clients to define and create wonderful travel memories, that step outside of the standard high-street experience. As members of aito - the association of independent tour operators, they are one of the handful of travel agents that offer such specialist and independent travel advice. Each member of the travel team has travelled extensively and offers expertise in many destinations and activities. Membership of abta assures financial security, professional standards and an awareness of responsible tourism is delivered with every holiday package that this business puts together be it traditional family holidays, short breaks, long breaks, excursions, weddings, honeymoons, action, adventure, extreme sports or cruises. Equipment: the business has invested heavily within technology. The offices are fully networked up to the back office (using a leading travel industry front/back office software package) and the business utilises sage accounting software. All clients details are held on the it database. (circa 4000) customer service: every member of the business team undertakes professional training and completes accreditation programmes from each of the major tourist boards throughout the world. Combining regular overseas 'in-the-field' training, each member is qualified to offer specialist advice and practical experience on specific areas that customers may be interested in visiting. Because of the nature of its work customer service is at the centre of everything the business does. The business has received superb testimonials from satisfied clients over the years and continues to receive them today. The level of service is further demonstrated by the very high levels of repeat business and referrals the business enjoys not to mention the numerous accreditations and awards it has. Key strengths: the company has been developed strategically over time so it can cater for the most diverse of clients. The infrastructure is in place, be it staff, reputation, location, systems and knowledge. Because of this the business can offer clients a truly personal service and offer customers a wide variety of tailored or standard packages at the best available prices. This is backed up by the following impressive accreditations: • abta gold membership • aito membership • world choice organisation because of this the company has access to a huge range of independent tour operators to work with, which sets this business apart from the rest. These operator's products range from activity adventure holidays to cookery, painting, trekking, cruises etc, the list is truly endless. Growth and expansion: the business sector represents an area of major growth in the short/medium term with foreign travel being more accessible than ever before. Whilst the company already has a presence in the market it could greatly increase this through increased marketing activity and a more proactive sales campaign. Key opportunities: the travel industry is going through a period of change. The new trend for “dynamic packaging” or the bolting together of piece parts to build up a unique travel/holiday experience represents an excellent opportunity for proactive and experienced travel agents such as this to increase revenues through better control and bigger profit margins. The company is ideally positioned to service this new sector and is already providing many of its clients with such tailored solutions and this figure is expected to grow in line with current and future trends. Business travel is another opportunity for this business. I currently provides this service to clients who request it but at present this sector only accounts for less than 5% of overall sales. Further promotion of this service would certainly increase revenues further.
