Anyone seeking insight into what travel agents are going through in the age of the Covid-19 pandemic, should take five minutes to watch this well-made and moving YouTube video, set to music and featuring firsthand observations from travel agents about how hard it is to be an agent at this time.
The video, created by Linda Forster of TravLin Travel, an experienced personal travel agent and cruise specialist in Victoria, illustrates the challenges agents are facing – with zero targeted support.
Among facts brought to light:
- Before the pandemic, travel agents had been experiencing year-over-year growth of 7.2%
- 70% of all travel taken by Australians is booked through a travel agent
- $6 Billion has already been refunded, $4 Billion in refunds still to go
- Travel agents book 70% of consumers’ international travel
- The majority of revenues have fallen in excess of 95%
- 71% of the agents are women who are disproportionally impacted by the pandemic
- Sole traders make up 61% of small business with no employees
- The sector contributes over $28 billion annually to the Australian economy
- Travel agents have not stopped working since the onset of Covid-19
- Travel agents were the first/hardest hit, and the sector will take longest to recover
- The nature of the sector means ‘pivoting’ the business around rules is not possible
Forster describes the video as “a reminder illustrating the real and raw struggles we faced during the Covid-19 pandemic which stopped a world; equally to act as inspiration in reflection on tough times, knowing that in getting through this, we can get through anything”.
She reserves special mention for all the agents/quotes featured, along with Oskar Proy’s ‘Take Me Back’.
Edited by Peter Needham
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