The pandemic has been like a Dark Ages for travel; erasing the gains and achievements of generations, knocking it backwards almost to nothing.
Comments made by WestJet representatives at a virtual roundtable about local aviation service in B.C. last week bring the comparison with the Dark Ages to mind.
The airline told the roundtable that - now that travel is clawing back from pandemic lows - WestJet “expects to grow back to the levels of 2013” - 8 whole years ago - over the next six months.
“During the height of the pandemic’s impact on air travel, Westjet was flying at the levels of 2002, when the company was in its infancy,” media reporting from the roundtable added.
The end of the Dark Ages was the Renaissance, and a re-birth is exactly what Canada’s travel industry and WestJet are looking towards now.
WestJet Virtual Showcase: Re-engaging the Trade
WestJet and WestJet Vacations unveiled their 2021/2022 product to the travel trade with its Virtual Showcase and Expo Wednesday 28SEP.
In a welcome video, Charles Crowder, VP of Sales and Distribution, praised members of the travel trade for their continuing support of WestJet and WestJet Vacations, saying, “We value your partnership and consider you to be an extension of our sales force.”
The company reinforced that message at the Virtual Showcase, where participating advisors were greeted by the announcement of an exclusive - and virtually unprecedented - Travel Agent Appreciation Offer of 20 per cent off all WestJet flights booked this week.
In addition, the company highlighted the importance of reversing the post-pandemic trend of direct vs trade bookings.
Spencer Sorenson, Manager of Specialty Sales revealed that, up to now this year, when it comes to bookings, 80% have been online, with only 20% coming through the trade.
“This is an imbalance that we don’t like to see,” he told Virtual Showcase participants, “Knowing that a lot of shops are still closed and the impact of bringing people back from furlough. We will be monitoring this very closely in order to get back to the 60/40 split that we saw pre-Covid” by early 2022.
Bright Future
Once inside the virtual trade show agents had the opportunity to visit five virtual ‘rooms’ including break out sessions where they could learn more about the expansion plans for WestJet.
In addition, advisors learned about the enhanced refresh of the Travel Agent Resource site which makes managing bookings more efficient, such as making seat selection and rebooking guests.
Over a 2-hour period, this virtual showcase included highlights of ten WestJet destinations and provided a forum for travel agents to meet with a variety of hotel and destination representatives. There was even a room that allowed travel agents to take ‘selfies’.
A large part of the Virtual Showcase was dedicated to the future - beginning with the measures WestJet has put in place to keep their guests safe. Travel agents and guests can view a series of videos dedicated to the health and safety protocols that WestJet has rolled out titled ‘Travel Ready’.
As WestJet and the industry recover, WestJet used the Virtual Showcase as an opportunity to promote its growing relationship with Delta Airlines. This enhanced and now reciprocal partnership includes allowing top-tier guests to enjoy a seamless journey between the two carriers with access to more airport lounges as well as additional perks while travelling. WestJet made it clear to Virtual Showcase attendees that the company views its partnership with Delta Airlines as an important factor in its future growth.
The future does appear bright, according to WestJet and WestJet Vacations, as Canadians rediscover their love of travel, and begin the renaissance of the travel industry.
