Travel agents are set to benefit from numerous incentive programs as several operators kick off major promotional campaigns for 2025. With enticing offers underway, companies are striving to rejuvenate interest and bolster bookings during the traditionally busy January and February period.
Gold Medal has announced its Grand Giveaway, aiming to reward travel agents with the chance to win £1,000 each week throughout January and February 2025. It all gets started on January 2, coinciding with the operator's Gold Medal Holiday Sale.
The Grand Giveaway not only attracts attention but also ties directly to the sales pitch of generating excitement and bookings during peak months. The 96-page brochure the company is distributing to retailers spotlights over 90 international offers for the upcoming years. Agents are encouraged to utilize the Gold Medal online hub, which provides ample marketing resources to assist them.
“The Gold Medal Holiday Sale has proven popular among agents over the past few years, supporting them as they inspire their clients to book throughout January and February and beyond,” noted Sarah Lancashire, Gold Medal’s Marketing Director. “That’s why as we enter 2025, it made perfect sense to update the campaign agents have come to know and love, with more unforgettable getaways and competitive offers at their fingertips.”
Meanwhile, escorted tours specialist Newmarket Holidays is rolling out its Peaks campaign with its biggest television advertisement to date. This nationwide marketing initiative features guided adventures in picturesque locations such as Croatia, Italy, Spain, India, Brazil, and Japan. The campaign, which inspires viewers to 'Live Your Travel Story,' will run from December 27 and includes substantial discounts of up to 15% on escorted tours booked by March 13, 2025, for travel through to 2027. They will air on prominent channels like ITV, Channel 4, and the Sky network, reaching thousands of potential customers.
“We’re excited to be launching our biggest ever TV campaign, which aims to inspire more customers than ever to discover wishlist escorted tours they can book with their local travel agent,” said Hayley Morris, Head of Trade and Partnerships at Newmarket Holidays. “With hundreds of pounds available on savings for so many holidays, this is a Peaks campaign set to give our trade partners the best possible start to 2025.”
Across the ocean, Canadian Affair and American Affair are also making their mark with the launch of their January sale and agent incentives. For agents, they are offering up to £100 in Love2Shop vouchers for each booking made. Members of the newly formed 100 Club loyalty scheme can earn up to £200 through exclusive incentives related to bookings for British Columbia.
The Peaks campaign, running from December 27, 2024, to January 31, 2025, encompasses additional offerings, including complimentary rail upgrades, discounts, and mobile data packages. Lee Rogers, Product and Commercial Director, emphasized the significance of the January sale. “Our January sale is our biggest annual promotion, and this year we're delighted to offer some incredible agent incentives, including exclusives for our new 100 club members. Our newly relaunched travel agent portal will also include downloadable marketing materials to help agents promote our January sale offers to their customers,” Rogers said.
These campaigns clearly indicate the industry's commitment to supporting travel agents. By equipping them with attractive offers and marketing tools, operators are proactively working toward driving sales and eleving the travel experience for customers using their agents. Through various incentives, including cash giveaways and exclusive vouchers, the industry aims to cultivate loyalty and bolster profits.
Travel agents are not only integral to the sales success of travel operators but also play a pivotal role for consumers, providing personalized services and expert advice on travel arrangements. Therefore, as 2025 approaches, embracing these programs will surely be beneficial for both agents and their clients.
With the end of December nearing and consumers already dreaming of their next getaway, the significant push made by travel operators is expected to reignite interest and increase bookings as people plan their future vacations.
