Appoint.Travel has been been designed to help agents manage footfall in their stores, and maintain social distancing, as they seek to reopen amid the coronavirus crisis.

Members who sign up will receive a link they can share with clients via their websites, social media and email; clients just have to click through to a booking page which will show availability of face-to-face, video or phone appointments.

Agents will be able to manage appointments online and set their hours of business. They can also block out time slots as required and provide customers more information, such as which destinations and holiday types fit their area of expertise.

Clients will also be able to select their holiday preferences in advance, such as destination, proposed departure date, party size, duration and more, to allow agents to best prepare for their appointment.

Kelly Cookes, Advantage leisure director, said the app would be exclusive to Advantage members until the end of July, and was available at a special rate. "The app is simple to use, and we hope [it] will help ensure agents are in the best possible position to deliver their expert and trusted service.”

Ross Matthews, director of app developer Brighter Design, added: "Our own research shows customers have quickly become comfortable booking appointments online, via mobile and through social channels; we wanted to develop a solution that works for travel agents to tap into this trend.”