The annual National Travel Agent Day is on September 6, initiated by Intrepid Travel to honour travel agents’ vital roles since its inception in 2020.
- Intrepid Travel is encouraging organisations to appreciate travel agents, offering promotions and competitions.
- The purpose of moving the date to September is to allow wider participation beyond the summer school term.
- Support includes surprise visits and customer engagement materials to highlight booking benefits via agents.
- Joanna Reeve from Intrepid emphasises ongoing recognition of agents as fundamental to the industry.
National Travel Agent Day, which falls on September 6 this year, is a significant event created by Intrepid Travel to celebrate the indispensable role that travel agents play in the travel and tourism industry. Initially launched in 2020, during the challenging times of the pandemic, this day has provided a platform to recognise and honour the efforts of travel agents across the UK. By shifting the celebration to September, organisers intend to broaden participation, ensuring that more individuals and businesses within the travel sector can join in the appreciation of their efforts.
Intrepid Travel, the founding organiser, is actively prompting companies to show gratitude towards their agent partners by offering competitive promotions and engaging competitions. These initiatives not only highlight the dedication exhibited by travel agents but also foster strong relations within the industry, enhancing mutual support and respect. This year’s celebrations include promotions that are to be showcased on the Intrepid Loves Agents Facebook page, along with unforeseen visits to agencies, adding an element of surprise and appreciation.
The change in date from the last Friday of the UK summer school term to September aims to maximize the involvement of stakeholders. This adjustment is strategically designed to align with the schedules of various participants, ensuring a more inclusive celebration. The timing enables greater participation by avoiding the overlap with the busy summer holiday period, thereby accommodating the availability of travel professionals.
In addition to in-person celebrations, Intrepid Travel provides agents with downloadable materials aimed at engaging customers by showcasing the value of booking through professional agents. Such resources underline the benefits of professionals’ expertise and experience, helping customers make informed travel decisions. The materials are designed to be customer-facing and help in promoting the role of agents as trusted advisors.
Joanna Reeve, who heads partnerships at Intrepid, reiterates the ongoing importance of this day as a marker of appreciation for travel agents. She asserts the necessity of maintaining the momentum of recognition, stating, “Four years on from its launch, we believe National Travel Agent Day still has an important role to play as a reminder of the crucial role agents play in our industry.” Her statement underscores the continuous need for acknowledgment and support for agents who are the backbone of travel services.
National Travel Agent Day continues to be an integral occasion, reinforcing the essential contributions of agents to the travel industry.
