We’ve focussed on our high street categories only, meaning data was collected from our shortlist of 58 high street stores. It was encouraging to see that 85% of the TTG Top 50 regional finalists exceeded pre-pandemic turnover figures in 2023, and the extent to which margins are increasing.
Our finalists boast a loyal customer base, with more than eight in 10 reporting last year’s sales came from a higher proportion of repeat bookings than new customers.
But what was evident is they are not just sellers of holidays, but marketing pioneers, social media experts, fundraising heroes and sustainable travel champions, just a few of the many hats a successful high street travel agent must wear.
The little extras our finalists offered their clients went far beyond simply booking a holiday. The majority “did all the admin” when it came to flights; called customers to welcome them home from their trip; and arranged tours, experiences and special gifts for them.
Facebook was the mainstay social media platform for marketing, with many finalists using this to great effect to boost sales, in fact 89% of those that used Facebook among our finalists could directly attribute sales to the platform.
