Operating for more than 30 years, experienced travel agent Symphony World Travel has helped thousands of clients to enjoy a tailormade holiday through its unique offering. In the wake of the firm being awarded Best Independent Exclusive Travel Agency – Surrey, we speak to Simonetta Nutt about how Covid-19 has affected the industry.
Symphony World Travel opened its first travel shop in Kingswood, Surrey, back in 1984. Now, with a second branch in nearby Fetcham, the family-run firm has been delighting customers with its tailor-made travel options for more than 37 years.
From ‘hot’ destinations of the 1980s, such as Turkey, India and Australia, not forgetting the humble cruise liner, to the modern-day luxury retreats based in far-flung tropical islands, and tours that are very much off-the-beaten track, Symphony World Travel quite literally has the entire world at its fingertips!
Positioned as an independent retailer at the luxury end of the travel and tourism market, Symphony World Travel comes highly recommended from existing customers, with much of its new business coming from word-of-mouth referrals, and it guarantees 100% satisfaction to all of its clients.
Boasting a team of mature and well-travelled staff, Symphony World Travel has an expansive knowledge of the industry and most of the destinations it promotes, offering unique insights into hotels, resorts and towns that only true experience can provide.
It’s no secret that the recent Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the travel, tourism and hospitality sector, practically grinding it to a halt as borders closed and travel was banned as Coronavirus raged on. However, Simonetta Nutt, Co-Founder of Symphony World Travel, has noticed a definite shift in attitude over the last few months.
“There is definitely a strong desire to travel,” she explains. “But on the other hand, we also have elderly clients who are not wanting to commit to advance bookings until things became clearer with the Covid situation.”
The company is still actively promoting its holiday destinations and putting out a regular e-shot emails, packed with fantastic offers and savings, in order to keep the momentum going, as well as arranging and participating in Zoom webinars.
“It has made us re-think the need to be available outside of what was a normal business week,” Simonetta continues, talking about how the firm has adapted to a ‘new normal’. “Emails are now very much at the forefront of any communications, followed up by telephone conversations.”
Once the Government has fully released the UK and the rest of the world from lockdown, Symphony World Travel plans to host more in-house events, working with hoteliers, tourist boards, and travel guides.
“Given the long and restrictive lockdowns, we feel clients will enjoy coming out on an appointment-style visit to see us in person!”
Simonetta is also keen to remind us that, despite the many ‘special offers’ and fantastically low rates available for travel abroad, the general public needs to be constantly reminded of the need to book with fully bonded travel professionals and not dynamically packaged deals they find on the internet. And this is just one of the many things that Symphony World Travel has in its arsenal to differentiate itself from competitors.
“Any specialist travel agent will be on hand 24/7 to look after its clients’ travel arrangements from beginning to end,” she enthuses. “For example, we are always available to travellers from anywhere in the world, at any time!”
As the world slowly opens up again, Simonetta and the dedicated team at Symphony World Travel look forward to new innovations in travel and await what the future holds with a sense of excitement.
“The travel world of tomorrow beckons and even outer space is on the cards…”
For further information, please contact Simonetta Nutt or visit www.symphonyworldtravel.com
