Belfast travel team reopen their doors and witness holiday bookings soar

A Belfast travel agency has reopened their doors and are welcoming back customers after seeing a huge boom in holiday bookings as lockdown restrictions ease.
By Claire Cartmill
Published 5th May 2021, 06:00 GMT
Kieran O'Donnell, ASM, Kelly Hutchinson, Store Manager, Julie-Anne Kennedy, ASM and Conor Maguire, Travel ConsultantKieran O'Donnell, ASM, Kelly Hutchinson, Store Manager, Julie-Anne Kennedy, ASM and Conor Maguire, Travel Consultant
Kieran O'Donnell, ASM, Kelly Hutchinson, Store Manager, Julie-Anne Kennedy, ASM and Conor Maguire, Travel Consultant

Barrhead Travel’s Belfast branch resumed trading for the first time since last year and the team hasbeen welcoming back customers in person as local holidaymakers rush to book their first post-pandemic getaway.

Over the last year manager Kelly Hutchinson and her experienced team have been working remotely supporting customers’ impacted by Covid-19. And their efforts did not go unnoticed as their branch was recognised in the Top Travel Agency in Northern Ireland category at the prestigious TTG Top 50 industry awards.

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Kelly said that with the vaccine roll-out and easing of lockdown, people were now feeling more confident about planning their dream holiday for the near future with destinations such as Tenerife, Turkey, New York, Orlando and Dubai among the favourites.

Demand for summer 2022 remains the most popular booking season but the Barrhead Travel team noted that bookings for this summer have increased over the last few weeks with staycations and UK cruises proving popular for late spring bookings.

Earlier this year, Barrhead Travel launched its Stress-Free Guarantee which provides holidaymakers with assurances about financial protection, flexible booking options and safety abroad.

Kelly explained: “After so many months of working from home, I am delighted to be reunited with my team in store where we can safely accommodate our wonderful customers who we have missed!

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“The support and well wishes we have received upon the news of opening has been truly heart-warming.

“Being recognised in the TTG Top 50 Travel Awards was a really rewarding feeling.

“It is a great achievement to have been credited, particularly during such a challenging year and I am so proud of the team for their unwavering dedication to our customers.

“We can’t wait to help plan our customers next getaway, whether that be a staycation in the UK or a bucket list destination overseas. We are back to take care of everything, leaving our customers with complete peace of mind.”

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Related topics:BelfastBarrhead TravelNorthern Ireland