The Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK’s largest consortium of independent travel agents has launched its new campaign, ‘Hello Suitcase’. The campaign aims to support Advantage members by giving them the confidence to sell during a continued period of uncertainty and as the travel industry recovers from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Recent booking data suggests that there is increasing demand among consumers to travel for this summer, especially among those who are fully vaccinated. However, the continued changes to traffic light updates and government restrictions is affecting confidence to book. In addition, as many travel agents haven’t themselves travelled during the pandemic their own confidence to book travel for their clients and the fear of having to cancel and rebook should a destination change category, especially at short notice has had a real impact.

The campaign aims to reassure Advantage members that although the travel landscape is a little different now, it is still possible to travel for leisure or business travel – and the best place for people to book is with a trusted travel agent, who can guide them through the new travel landscape, from testing needs to entry requirements.

The company will launch a toolkit as part of the campaign, to help boost member and clients’ confidence to sell and book holidays, which will include sharing of video and image content. It is encouraging agents and their clients to share video and image content of the new travel experience on Instagram and using the hashtag #HelloSuitcase, which will then be shared on the page.

David Forder, head of marketing at Advantage Travel Partnership commented: “Our new ‘Hello Suitcase’ campaign and expansive toolkit is focused on showing agents and their customers that travel is back on the agenda. We hope that the range of resources that we have created will help to convey that message and support our members through this recovery phase.”