Strawberry Holidays’ Kate Holroyd and Mia Walmsley, owner of Footprint Travel have created the Beyond the Bookings: 2021 Marketing Success Planner to help others prepare for the post-pandemic period.

The two women have more than 25 years’ marketing experience and said the idea came after they had supported each other during the crisis. Following these discussions they decided to help other independent agents.

Walmsley said: “Talking with other indie agents helped us realise that there is a real gap and a need for a planner of this kind. Having opened a shop only last year, even with a marketing background it is a challenge to find the time to focus on planning and social media. We really hope this will help lots of agents in a similar position to us in rebuilding their businesses in 2021.”

The pair are now taking orders for early December delivery, with copies at £34.99. They are currently approaching suppliers for contributions and are crowd funding the publication, with donations matched by project backer NatWest.

“We had over 100 agents register their interest in the planner in 24 hours with over 50 sold in the pre-sale to date,” said Holroyd. 

Holroyd said the planner would cover marketing essentials for specific destinations and attractions such as Walt Disney World, including which season to travel, best hotel rates, weather and best time to book.

The paper product is backed up online with a Facebook page and social media.

“It’s a page a day for 2021; it’s a physical planner but there will be a downloadable version with some additional downloads for things we couldn’t fit in,” said Holroyd.

“We want this to be the ultimate planner for independent agents, there should be no more need for spreadsheets, desk-diaries, or notebooks. Everything will be covered in one place, in one book for the agent.” 

A percentage of the proceeds will be given to a mental health charity. The pair said they recognised the impact on travel business owners caused by the pandemic.