With Thomas Cook reporting good sales for 2010 and the experience in our agency that the brochures coming out later has created an anticipation and demand. I am wondering what the rest of you think out there.
So come on tell us is later better or early exciting?
Alot of people are coming into our store in the anticipation that the brochures will be available, and have been going out aggravated that they cant peruse for next years holiday. I'm sure this is what a lot of people are doing now. Looking for 2010 and not feeling the pressure of a 2009 holiday where the amount will be all paid upfront.
I think it's riled more people than helped to be honest?
Hi QueenBee,
Any chance you could give me a call on 020 8652 8253 re your comments on the later brochure launches? I am putting a story together and would love to have a bit of a chat.
Ed Robertson
Ohwa, I've never been asked to do that before - slightly embarressed heheh!
What would the questions be?
Rebecca
I think the main operators should revert back to bringing out their brochures later (eg OCT) and they do now so they can give the independent operators a chance to be competitive and also let the agents concentrate on selling lates. I think on a whole as a nation we have a habit of thrusting things onto the public to early eg Easter eggs in shops just as Xmas is over, Summer 2010 when we haven't even had Summer 2009 and cruises for 2011!? etc.
Later is definitely better.
QueenBee,
Not sure where your coming from, unless you where talking about May/June as the brochures are out now? We had a few people come in at that time but where not frustrated at all about waiting a few weeks, for most it seemed to be ok with them once they knew that the brochures would be in at end of June.
The only thing and this has massively frustrated us, is no file copy’s from Tui. That said we have managed to sell holidays with the right brochure. This however is the stupidest thing I have ever heard; agents need at least file copies.
Alot of our clients are early bookers & are used to having brochures in hand alot earlier (yes I'm referring to before they were available - I was speaking in present tense! Sorry!)
There's no real rush for late sales in our shop. That's why our clients were going out a bit miffed :)
I was talking regards the future, i feel summer brochures should be out in Oct and not May & June as this is too early.