Page 12 - The Local Eye - Issue 135 - January 2017

12 Travel Feature -
Into 2017...

By Mags Addison
Each year, once Christmas day is over, the media is full of holiday
advertising. Television, newspapers, magazines, social media – in a flash we
are plunged from a pre-Christmas frenzy into dreaming and planning our
2017 holiday break. Traditionally, January is the busy booking season for
holidays. It’s why in the High Street we were rarely allowed annual leave
in January, worked longer hours, took shorter lunchbreaks, and sometimes
missed our day off.
Working in my own office with Travel Counsellors, I have my own client base
locally and around the country. New clients come through referrals from my existing ones, from networking,
or just giving out my business card. And because we deal with everyone on a more personal basis, our busy
periods are spread; my clients are ahead of the game and contact me early. If it can’t be booked now, it
stays on my desk until it can.
Unlike the quieter High Street in the lead up to Christmas, my December was busy, as my clients were
already looking ahead to 2017. So, what do I have on my desk? Currently as I write, it’s the usual mixed
bag of enquires:
There’s an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Britannia departing in January for a Liverpool client wanting a
single cabin, and a holiday of a lifetime; His colleague has already booked Thailand for a month with me,
departing over the New Year. Meanwhile, a young relative is looking at a California birthday surprise trip
for her boyfriend for next July.
I have a hen weekend enquiry in Dublin for a large group of girls from Nottingham – this kind of group
break is always hampered by a low budget, and getting them all to commit. I also have the stag weekend
from the same wedding looking at Munich, on an even lower budget. Meanwhile, I’ve already booked
the bride and groom’s honeymoon some months ago – they are going to Sandals in Barbados. And the
background to these groups and the wedding? I booked both the groom and best man on another stag
weekend about three years ago. That was to Prague, and they’ve stayed in touch and booked other trips
with me individually Have your
Then I have another recently returned honeymoon couple from the North East, who have already started cushions
looking at their first anniversary trip for next October, this time a two centre to New York and Las Vegas.
They have just booked a short break with in-laws to a beautiful hotel in Palma, Majorca early next May. lost their
This is a surprise 60th birthday trip. His boss, who he referred to me, has recently booked Route 66 for
next year. Oomph?
A regular group of ladies who live in Leeds, are looking for a girls short
sunshine break in late June. They go away every year, and have celebrated
special birthdays during these trips, and a recovery to health from one of
their group. I have a Weymouth couple who have just added a side trip
onto their Australia trip I booked for them departing beginning of February.
So what will 2017 bring onto my desk? Well, I’d say it’s already started,
and I can be sure it will be varied.
Happy New Year to everyone – and happy travelling.

Beach holidays, City breaks, Honeymoons, Weddings abroad, Adventure holidays, Ski,
Cruise, Tailormade trips, Flight only, Car hire, Airport hotels and parking and much more...
Contact Travel Counsellor
Mags Addison

01202 901390
0845 058 7812
margaret.addison@travelcounsellors.com Travel Counsellors ensures complete
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/margaret.addison financial protection on every booking

To advertise <> 08000 430485 <> email: info@thelocaleye.com <> www.thelocaleye.com

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