Avanti Opens U.K. Sales Center to Service U.S. East Coast Advisors

Avanti Destinations has opened a new sales service center in the United Kingdom to connect with United States travel advisors on the east coast at earlier times. 

The Portland, Oregon-based wholesale FIT tour operator’s Manchester, U.K. call center will allow the company to increase the number of hours that its trained travel consultants can assist travel advisors. Avanti has sold its customized, independent tours only through travel advisors – not directly to consumers – since 1981. 

“More travel advisors are working remotely and communicating with us electronically, as well as the traditional way by phone,” explained Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations. “In addition, the number of travel advisors in the eastern half of the U.S. who work with us has been growing substantially. Having a service center in the U.K. – five hours ahead of the East Coast and eight hours ahead of our headquarters in Portland – means that the time we are available to advisors has greatly expanded.” 

The Manchester office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time to check electronic communications from the night before early in the morning and answer phone calls that come starting 9 a.m. eastern time. In the new year, the office will expand its hours. Ultimately, between the U.K. and Portland offices, travel advisors will have access to Avanti 11 hours a day by phone and 20 hours a day electronically. 

Barry also noted that while sales and inquiries at Avanti have risen since launching its new booking platform in 2021, phone calls have decreased by one-third, indicating the spike in streamlined, electronic communications. 

“The new AI-enhanced booking platform is allowing advisors to quickly and easily generate ‘inspirational’ custom F.I.T. itineraries on their own, tailored to the client’s interests, destinations, and hotel style,” Barry said. “This gets the conversation started with clients, and then advisors can also use it to refine the itinerary and price it. Putting this tool in advisors’ hands, accessible 24/7, has greatly streamlined communications and the entire booking process.”