A North East travel agency is expanding into Newcastle after taking on staff who lost their jobs following the collapse of several other holiday companies.
Paul Johnstone launched Now Lets Travel at Sunderland’s Business & Innovation Centre in 2013 after being made redundant, and has since opened a successful boutique agency in Jesmond, employing 11 staff.
Now, amid a tumultuous time for the tourism industry, he is bucking trends to open a second agency in Newcastle city centre, taking on seven experienced workers who were forced out of work following a raft of closures in the area.
He is investing £250,000 in the new shop on Ridley Place, which will open on Friday, December 11, specialising in long and shorthaul holidays while also opening Newcastle’s first ever Jet2 Booking Lounge, launched in partnership with Jet2holidays
Mr Johnstone said the move comes amid a backlash against online travel bookings, saying he believes bricks and mortar travel businesses will see a bounce back next year, prompting him to make the vote of confidence in the high street.
Since the pandemic started, the holiday and airline industry has suffered greatly, with the cancellation of millions of holidays around the globe, the collapse of many holiday firms and the slashing of airline schedules. Travel corridors allow passengers to jet away to some destinations, but flights are few and far between.
Despite the challenges, Mr Johnstone said that Now Lets Travel has continued to operate and take bookings.
And while now may seem to be a risky time to open up a high street presence, he wants to remind people that travel agencies are still alive and strong and keen to build strong connections within the community.
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Mr Johnstone, who has more than 30 years' experience in the industry, said: “Since the lockdown in March we’ve seen the closure of six travel agencies in Newcastle, including the likes of Courtney Airsavers, and the last year has also seen a lot of customers lose faith in the travel industry, thanks to the collapse of some online-only agencies that have shut up shop, not returned money and not answered any calls or emails.
“There has been so much bad press, but people still want to book holidays, so want to deal with a human being, with knowledgable staff who can give a personal service.
“All the holidays we organise are protected too – it’s not worth dealing with firms which aren’t realiable.
“Since the pandemic started we have never shut. Our Jesmond shop wasn’t open to customers but the phone lines have remained open, and looking ahead I think more people are going to want the more personal service aspect.
“So, on the back of that, we are opening the Ridley Place shop and have been able to recruit the most amazing team to work with us.
“They have all come from stores that have closed in Newcastle, so all have really strong backgrounds in travel.”
Looking ahead, he said holiday seekers are looking way into the future to make plans, and that Now Lets Travel has been taking bookings for 2022.
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He added: “There has been a lot of doom and gloom but people want to put 2020 behind them and want to have a great one in 2021.
“So these are exciting times. Equally terrifying times but I think the general public has been so disillusioned with the industry that they will really take to the new agency.”