According to the new boss of dnata Europe and the UK, the complexity of travel presents opportunities for agents to shine and add value.
Ailsa Pollard, chief executive of dnata Travel Group (UK & Europe), spoke at Abtas Travel Convention. She said that the pandemic could bring its own pain as call handling times have increased by 20% due to Covid travel rules.
This is the right time to shine as a travel agent, with a wealth industry experience. Pollard assumes her new role in November 1.
She will be responsible for all dnata Travel Groups UK-based brand: Gold Medal and Travel Republic, Travel Republic, Travelbags, Netflights, Sunmaster, Travel Republic, Travel Republic, Travel Republic, Travelbags, Sunmaster.
Agents can increasecustomers are willing and able to pay a higher margin, she stated, adding that agents have a wealth of knowledge that is a great opportunity amid complicated travel restrictions for airlines and hotels as well as countries.
She said that dnata brands must be there where customers want to be, online or in the Travelbag retail store.
Pollard stated that agents and B2B operators Gold Medal are working together to remove any friction from the holiday booking process.
She will be meeting many key partners next month to discuss how they can work together to help customers when she assumes her new role.
More: Interview with Dnata Travel: Dnata Travel has moved from focusing on size to profitability
She told the delegates in London that the Maldives and Dubai have been dominant long-haul destinations since the UK government announced a dramatic reduction in its red list of countries two week ago.
The departures were previously for 2022, but customers now make late bookings for 2021 holidays.
She is also seeing more families traveling together, and bookings for longer periods of time. This means that the average booking value is rising.
Pollard stated that her leadership style is focused on eliminating friction and asking questions to help her team trade more easily.
She said that it was about helping your teams reconnect, but not getting in the way. Chris Ship, moderator.
She said, "I want to hire people who would like to work for me and can learn from."
I want only people in my team that I would love to work for, if they were promoted above me.
She did not rule out future acquisitions when she was asked about her plans.
She said that there are many frogs who would love to kiss the investment side.
Let's see which frogs would like to be kissed and which turn out to be princes.
