Travel agent’s email spree brings in $40,000 in sales

Proving the importance of keeping in touch with your clients, especially now, this savvy agent has bagged a cool $40,000 in gross sales just from sending a few emails to the right people.

When Sydney-based TravelManagers agent Julianne Gazal-Rizk learned about Chimu Adventures’ charters flights to see the Southern Lights over Antarctica, she reached out to a handful of clients who she thought might be interested.

Within a week, Gazal-Rizk had sold five premium economy and two business class seats to four sets of clients for the 23 October 2021 departure of Chimu’s ‘Southern Lights by Flight’ experience, and she said she is hopeful that further sales will eventuate.

With her business, like so many others, seriously affected by the COVID pandemic, she said she is taking a proactive approach to stimulate its recovery, rather than waiting for a recovery to happen.

“Over the last few months since some state border restrictions have lifted, there has been an increased appetite for domestic travel, in particular within New South Wales where I am based,” she said.

“Many clients were not aware I could book their domestic travel for them as well, so it’s been crucial for me to let them know that I can help them, whether it’s booking accommodation for a self-drive trip, arranging tours, booking mystery flights – whatever they fancy.”

Gazal-Rizk said further guidance offered by the NPO team has left her feeling optimistic that more bookings will eventuate, and that she is taking the right approach in not waiting for a recovery to take place on its own.

“The team have provided helpful advice relating to every step of the sale process,” she added.

“I don’t want to give away any trade secrets, but useful tips such as tweaking the language used in client emails to be more emotive and enticing have definitely had an impact.”

Gazal-Rizk said support from fellow PTMs has also been helpful with weekly Zoom sessions with her colleagues to share ideas and information, as well as providing a virtual shoulder to cry on, should one be required.

“The care factor between PTMs has always been second to none, and has been really highlighted during COVID,” she said.

“As well as the Zoom calls, we have regular ‘walk and talk’ sessions in which we can get out into nature and showcase our local area. It’s amazing for everyone’s mental health: I honestly do not know what I would have done without the support of these people.”

As well as the Chimu Adventures experiences on offer, Gazal-Rizk said cruise enquiry is starting to pick up, as many cruise lines begin to release their 2021/22/23 products.

“Whilst the response continues to be a little slow thanks to the uncertainty of border openings, my clients are definitely becoming more open to the possibility to travel, providing they have a ‘book with confidence’ policy to ensure their financial protection,” she said.

Gazal-Rizk’s two-week campaign to promote the Chimu Southern Lights experience has already brought her more than $40,000 in gross sales.

“It would have been all too easy to focus on the necessary work of processing cancellations and refunds while waiting for the industry to recover,” she said.

“But that’s not the TravelManagers style. I’m excited about sharing some amazing travel experiences with my clients, and I’m looking forward to seeing these ideas start to come to fruition.”

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

chimu adventures Julianne Gazal-Rizk PTM Southern Lights travelmanagers