Why more people are booking with a travel professional—and why it means more than finding a holiday

But knowing which holiday is actually right for you? That takes a little more thought.

So I was pleased to see the latest ABTA Holiday Habits research showing that more people are choosing to book through a travel professional. 38% of overseas holidaymakers booked with a travel agent or tour operator, up from 34% last year. Among 18–24-year-olds, that figure rose by six percentage points to 35%.

It isn’t just experienced travellers who appreciate having someone help them. Younger travellers are choosing it too.

The reasons make perfect sense to me: 60% of those booking with a travel professional value the ease of booking, and 45% value the time saved.

Because planning your holiday shouldn’t feel like taking on a second job.

You might enjoy the browsing. I certainly do! But once you’ve opened twenty tabs, compared several flight options and read completely contradictory reviews of the same hotel, it can become less exciting and more exhausting.

That’s where I come in.

Before I start looking, I want to understand what you actually enjoy. Do you want peace and quiet, or somewhere with a bit of life? Are you happy staying within the resort, or do you like to wander out to local restaurants? Does a beautiful beach matter more than a huge pool? Are you a foodie, a golfer, an explorer—or someone who simply needs a lovely sunbed and a week without making decisions?

Those details matter far more than a hotel’s star rating.

One person’s dream holiday can be another person’s nightmare. A lively resort might be perfect for one couple and completely wrong for another. A remote island might sound idyllic until you realise you’d rather have somewhere to pop out for a walk and a drink.

My job is to help you find your version of a brilliant holiday.

That’s also why I spend time visiting resorts, looking around different room categories, asking questions and sharing honest feedback. The beautiful photographs are lovely, but I want to know what it feels like to stay there—and who I would recommend it to.

I’m a Yorkshire girl. If I think something is worth spending a little more on, I’ll explain why. If I think you can get what you want for less, I’ll tell you that too.

Luxury, to me, is about getting something you really value. There’s no point paying for an impressive hotel if it doesn’t give you the holiday you wanted.

When I put a proposal together, there’s quite a bit happening behind the scenes. I’m researching resorts, comparing flights, checking room types, looking at transfers and working out how everything fits together.

Sometimes a slightly different departure date makes better use of your budget. Sometimes the room upgrade is worth every penny. Sometimes the cheaper option involves a flight time or a transfer that you really wouldn’t enjoy.

Those are the things I want you to understand before you book.

And this is where I’d like to say something honestly, as a small business owner.

It is disheartening when someone asks me to do all that research, takes the holiday I’ve carefully put together and then books it elsewhere to save £50.

I understand that price matters. I work hard for my money, and I know you do too. £50 is still £50.

But when you compare prices, please compare the whole service as well.

Is it the same room category? The same flights? Does it include luggage and transfers? Are the booking conditions the same? And who will you turn to if you need help afterwards?

A headline price doesn’t answer all those questions.

There is a person behind my business. It’s me spending time getting to know you, researching your options and caring about whether you’ll actually enjoy the holiday I recommend. The research is part of the work that your booking supports.

If you like what I’ve found but have seen a lower price elsewhere, please tell me before you book.

Let’s check whether we’re comparing the same thing and see what I can do. I can’t promise to match every price, but I can promise an honest conversation about the differences and the value you’re getting.

Giving me the opportunity to earn your booking means a great deal. It allows me to keep providing the personal service that brought you to me in the first place.

And that service continues after you’ve chosen your holiday. I can help with questions, requests and the details before you travel, and you have someone who knows your booking to turn to if you need support.

I can’t promise that travel will always go perfectly. Nobody can. But having someone to help you work through a problem can make a real difference.

For me, that’s what these research findings reflect: people appreciate having someone make the process easier, save them time and help them feel confident about what they’re booking.

You don’t need a fully formed itinerary to get in touch. You might know exactly where you want to go, or you might simply be thinking, “I need a holiday, but I haven’t got the energy to work it all out.”

Both are perfectly good starting points.

Tell me what you love, what you’d rather avoid and what you’re comfortable spending. Then let’s find something you can properly look forward to.

Fancy having someone else do the holiday homework? Book A Call With Mel, and let’s have a chat.