29 Jun 2021
• Travel industry comes together to support travel agents with consumer deals
• Travel agent case studies are available
• Fundraising for travel industry charities
Intrepid Travel, the world's leading sustainable tour operator, will hold the second National Travel Agent Day UK and Ireland* on Friday 23rd July 2021 – timed to coincide with what is usually the mass summer holiday exodus and just after the government roadmap's so-called 'Freedom Day' on 19th July.
Last week's 'Travel Day of Action' highlighted the issues that the travel industry is facing – and with agents at the coal face of the travel crisis – there is a pressing need to safely reopen international travel as the continued uncertainty threatens to destroy the £37bn UK travel sector. Many agents have had to make long standing staff redundant, take on second jobs and even sell their home to make ends meet. With National Travel Agent Day less than a month away, Intrepid is calling on consumers to show their solidarity and support to hardworking agents following nearly 18 months of uncertainty.
With the ever-changing travel restrictions, the knowledge and advice of a trusted travel agent is more important than ever, as they can guide customers through the booking process and travel requirements. Intrepid is encouraging holidaymakers to back their local travel agent and to plan a future trip with them. In the lead up to the day, Intrepid will work with other travel companies to offer special holiday discounts and promotions for consumers to take advantage of when booking through their favoured agent. The small group travel tour operator is also encouraging people to share their travel agent stories using the #NationalTravelAgentDay hashtag in the build up to the official day.
In addition, Intrepid is fundraising with Abta Lifeline in the UK and ITAA Benevolent Fund in Ireland as the chosen charities. Both organisations deliver support to travel agents who are severely struggling during the pandemic.
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent shut down of international travel, the travel industry has been dealing with the biggest crisis it has ever faced. Agents have endured over a year of pressure and strain – from processing refunds, dealing with the logistical fall-out of border closures, repatriating customers, navigating complex entry requirements and vaccination and testing protocols – all with little to no revenue being generated.
Zina Bencheikh, EMEA managing director for Intrepid, said: “A year on from the first National Travel Agent Day, the industry is continuing to face incredibly tough times. Agents have been working tirelessly to support their clients, negotiating complex and constantly changing rules. National Travel Agent Day is a fantastic opportunity to inject some positivity and bring people together – as that is what travel is all about.”
National Travel Agent Day UK and Ireland will take place annually on the last Friday of the UK summer school term, just before the summer holiday mass exodus usually begins. This year, Intrepid will host an industry-wide Virtual Appreciation Event on 23rd July, connecting agents and partners online to mark the occasion including competitions, incentives and inspirational stories will be shared throughout the day.
Travel agent case studies are available from across the UK travel sector.
https://www.intrepidtravel.com/uk/national-travel-agent-day
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About Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a world leader in sustainable experience-rich travel that has been taking travelers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for more than 30 years. The company offers more than 800 trips on every continent and every trip – whether closer to home or further afield - is designed to truly experience local culture. Travelers eat, sleep and get around the local way, going where the bigger groups can't. With its own network of destination management companies in 23 countries, Intrepid has unique local expertise and perspectives. Globally renowned as a leader in responsible travel, in 2018 the carbon-neutral business became the world's largest travel company to be certified B-Corp, joining a growing community of businesses looking beyond the bottom line. Intrepid are the only tour operator with verified science-based carbon reduction targets and an industry leader in climate action. Its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, has raised over $10 million for more than 130 charities around the world. For further information on Intrepid or to download the company's 2019 Integrated Annual Report, visit www.intrepidgroup.travel and follow Intrepid Travel on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.
