New research from the Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) shows that only 3% of travel booked through accredited agents has been cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.
Most of the impacted travel was able to be rerouted by the agent on behalf of the customer (61%), says TAANZ ceo Julie White.
Of the cancelled flights, well over half (66%) were cancelled by customers rather than airlines, due to their global concerns.
“Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, Kiwis still want to travel but they are recognising that they need an expert on their side to help,” says White.
. . . The Trend
“What we’re seeing is a clear trend: travellers are seeking out trusted advisors to help navigate changing conditions, reroute journeys, and provide confidence every step of the way. Travelling is still viable for many.”
The survey found that 82% of travellers were choosing to avoid travel through the Middle East.
White says that this is where agents are really coming into play, intimately knowledgeable on the industry and able to provide strong recommendations that are keeping Kiwis in flight.
Some 35% of agents are seeing reduced availability for flights for future bookings.
. . . Fuel Availability
White says one major concern among customers is the availability of fuel in other destinations.
“However, we also understand where the strongest supply is and how best to navigate this, such as Singapore Airlines’ increased flights into New Zealand, giving greater connection into Asia and further into Europe,” says White.
. . . Agent Workload
The findings also highlight the significant workload being carried by Kiwi agents, who are managing high volumes of customer enquiries, rebooking requests, and real time updates as situations evolve.
Some 38% of TAANZ-accredited agents are reporting a ‘significant increase in workload’.
She says the tactics and practices developed during the pandemic have helped agents cope with the current disruption.
In terms of any changes in demand patterns, White says more Kiwi travellers are now looking for closer to home options. See tomorrow’s issue for more details.
