ao link

 

This agency has started a brochure delivery service for clients during lockdown 

Vannin Travel on the Isle of Man has set up a brochure delivery service to provide clients with some much-needed inspiration during lockdown. Abra Dunsby finds out more

TR-XFBLIWAeCard
A client holds a brochure delivered by Vannin Travel's Tony Lawrence
A client holds a brochure delivered by Vannin Travel's Tony Lawrence

When the team at Vannin Travel on the Isle of Man started noticing a spike in requests for brochures during lockdown, store manager Tony Lawrence decided to start a brochure delivery service to ensure clients’ needs were met.


“We put a post up on our agency Facebook page about three week ago saying that we’d be hand delivering brochures in the areas of Douglas and Onchan due to demand from clients and we had a great response,” explains Tony.

 

His team has since hand delivered brochures to around 40 households, delivering up to 10 brochures per household, and the number of requests is growing by the day.


“We got lots of messages off the back of the Facebook post, as well as some phone calls asking for brochures – the feedback has been fantastic,” says Tony.


The brochure drop-offs have even led to a couple of enquiries. “We had one caller who asked about elephant trekking and another who wanted honeymoon suggestions for next August.”


The post on Facebook also led to brochure requests from people the store hasn’t sold holidays to before, so Tony is hopeful it may end up leading to some new business.


“What’s also been exciting is that younger people have been getting in touch asking for brochures, which isn’t our usual demographic,” he adds.


While the brochure drop-offs are yet to result in bookings, Tony says the main purpose of the exercise is to stay connected with clients during lockdown and bring them some light relief.


“It’s a fabulous way to keep people upbeat and give them something to look forward to. [A holiday] is something nice to think of while in lockdown.”

Tony Lawrence of Vannin Travel
Tony Lawrence of Vannin Travel

Staying connected


As well as delivering brochures, the team at Vannin Travel has also been connecting with customers through regular Facebook posts, which include a mixture of offers and non-travel related posts asking clients to reach out and get in touch if they need someone to talk to during lockdown. “People have called us for a chat, which is lovely,” says Tony.


While there have also been some requests for winter 2020 brochures, most requests have been for a range of 2021 brochures from tour operators including Jet2, Somak, Saga and If Only. “We don’t have all our 2021 brochures in stock so in some instances we’ve been ordering them for clients off the operators’ websites,” explains Tony.


Does he think the increase in brochure requests might mean a revival for brochures in the future? “Who knows,” he laughs. “In this day and age you wouldn’t think the brochures would be so popular, but people are probably bored of doing jigsaw puzzles right now and want something nice and inspiring to read!”

TR-XFBLIWAeCard
Email feedback@ttgmedia.com and let us know your thoughts or leave a comment below
Please sign in to comment.

Competitions

Our Next Events

Luxpo 2024

Luxpo 2024

TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2024

TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2024

TTG - Travel Trade Gazette
For Smarter, Better, Fairer Travel
B Corp-certified
TTG Media Limited.
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU