Local businesses, Richmond and Mann Link Travel, are bucking the travel industry trend with the celebration of their 35 year anniversary. The popular travel stores, in both Douglas and Ramsey, have proudly served generations of families and local residents over the past 35 years.
Store Managers Luisa Crabtree and Keith Skinner have over 60 years’ of travel agency experience between them and have seen the industry change from a paper-based world where airline tickets were hand-written, fares were published once a month in a paper catalogue and the height of technology was just a phone and calculator! This is a far cry from today’s online world of email, websites and social media but Richmond’s travel staff still believe that talking and listening to customers is at the heart of everything they do.
There is a positive outlook for Richmond and Mann Link’s future as the businesses show no signs of slowing down, thanks to the launch of their new holiday website www.escapetherock.im in October 2016, which has seen bookings go from strength to strength. Manx residents now have the convenience of searching for their holidays 24/7 online in their homes, but still have the reassurance they can turn to their local branch if they wish to book in person or want travel advice from their friendly teams.
“Escapetherock.im is an extension of Richmond and Mann Link’s travel stores, enabling Manx residents to ‘think local, buy local’ not only in the high street but online too” comments owner and Chairman Brian Kelly. Reassurance and trust are major factors when it comes to booking travel, that’s why the businesses provide ABTA and ATOL protection for their clients, whether they book in store or online this gives an extra layer of protection for travellers.
“Although the majority of residents search online, many still like to book in branch, especially for multi-destination holidays where the itineraries are more complex” reflects Richmond’s branch manager Luisa. “Others enjoy visiting the store because this is the first exciting step towards the whole holiday experience for them. They want to browse through the brochures, be inspired and discuss their ideas with us. We also have a long-established loyal client base which we work hard to keep”.
Mann Link Travel branch manager Keith Skinner comments “booking a holiday can be a social opportunity for many of our clients who like to gather our feedback on what destinations to travel to and which are the best hotels. Dreams take planning and we love being part of that process” he concludes.
So when you book your next holiday either instore or online, think local and shop local. Visit Richmond Travel on Strand Street Douglas opposite TK Maxx, or Mann Link Travel in Parliament street, Ramsey. Stores are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5.30pm, Saturdays 9am to 4pm, or visit www.escapetherock.im.
