They’re as predictable as last-minute schedule changes – that breed of customer that walks into the store or sends that email requesting a last-minute holiday deal over the Christmas period.
We’ve all seen them, we’ve all spoken to them, and we’ve all tried to sell to them. That’s before we end up banging our heads repeatedly against the backroom door.
Just in case you’ve banged your head too much, here are three of the most common festive season travellers that you’re likely to encounter starting 1 December.
1. The Foreign Student
Defining Characteristics: Looking for the CHEAPEST flight
Length of Their Trip: 6-8 weeks
Without fail, these student travellers always have a friend who just yesterday scooped up a ridiculously cheap airfare back home, and now they want the same deal from you – cheaper, if possible.
They often enter the store in groups of two or three, and are busy looking at their phones (probably browsing flights on Skyscanner) while you’re looking at your screen.
No matter how much you quote them, they want it CHEAPER, and despite repeated lectures on how flights are more expensive during what is the BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR, they still point to that sign on the wall that has Sydney to Mumbai $899 and demand that price.
When you do offer them a price that’s fairly good for that time of year, which happens to be with a less-than stellar airline, they make it known that they would prefer flying with Qantas or Emirates for that price.
It’s at this point you reach for the wine.
2. The Naive Couple
Defining Characteristics: After a cheap holiday package to Bali or Thailand
Length of Their Trip: 1-2 weeks
Not ones to plan in advance, these types of travellers usually waltz into the store after work or on the weekend, giddy about finally having their annual leave approved, and excited about jetting off to some idyllic beach resort in South East Asia for some much-needed downtime.
However, they’re genuinely surprised at the lack of availability at the cheapest resorts, and their jaws drop when you tell them that flights to Bali are over $2,000 for the dates they’re after, which just so happen to be from 23 December to 3 January – yeah sure, no one goes on holiday during these dates….
Again, they’re apt to point at the wall and request that low season price, and when you tell them that price simply isn’t possible, they look at you suspiciously, like you’re lying to them…
You don’t like to shatter dreams, but as they leave the store you can’t help but chuckle at their travel industry naivety.
3. The Young Professional
Defining Characteristics: Internet savvy and time poor
Length of Their Trip: 3-4 weeks
Sophisticated, albeit slightly pretentious, these travellers are the millennials who hate the fact that they’ve had to contact a travel agent to book a flight, as they simply can’t find anything within their price bracket online. They’re looking to you to find them that special deal, and you honestly try to help them score the best flights possible because they’re polite and they smile a lot.
They’re also looking to book a tour, and your eyes light up at the prospect of bagging a sweet commission. So you’re happy to sit with them, hour after hour, day after day, to secure that booking.
Then, after a few days of no contact, you decide to follow-up with said traveller, only to find out they ended up booking those awesome fights you found for them online. To add insult to injury (and your commission), they’ve also booked that tour you sold to them direct with the tour company.
But they wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and tell you they’ll recommend you to all your friends.
You reach for that wine again.