Industry guide
Travel: sales calls, objections and opening lines
Travel purchases are emotional, comparison-heavy and sensitive to change. Agents sell by understanding what the trip is for, explaining what is and is not included and staying calm when plans or prices move.
Typical call types
The conversations that come up most often, and what each one is for.
- Holiday enquiry
- Ask about who is travelling, when, budget and priorities before suggesting options.
- Quote follow-up
- Check what is stopping a decision and answer practical questions.
- Group or corporate travel call
- Arrange travel for a team or event with several constraints.
- Changes and disruption call
- Help a traveller after a cancellation or delay with empathy and clear options.
Who you talk to and what they care about
Know the person before you dial. Each role listens for something different.
- Family planning a holiday
- Value, convenience for children and knowing what happens if plans change.
- Couple or small group
- Experience, flexibility and trusting the recommendations.
- Corporate travel arranger
- Policy compliance, cost control and quick rebooking.
Top objections and example answers
Examples of a direction, not a script. Say it in your own words and use facts from the customer’s situation.
- “I found it cheaper online.”
- Thank you for telling me. Could we compare what each includes, such as transfers, baggage and cancellation, so that we compare the same package?
- “We need to discuss it as a family.”
- Naturally. I can send a clear summary and hold the option for a short time, if available, while you talk.
- “I am worried about things changing.”
- That is a fair concern. I will explain the change and cancellation terms clearly, so you know where you stand.
- “It is too expensive this year.”
- I understand. Are the dates flexible? Sometimes a small change in timing or destination brings it within your budget.
Sample opening lines
A good opening names who you are, why you are calling and gives the other person an easy way to answer.
- Holiday enquiry
- Hello, [Name], this is [your name] from [agency]. You asked about a trip to [destination]. Could I ask who is going and what would make it a good holiday for you?
- Quote follow-up
- Good afternoon, [Name], [your name] from [agency]. I sent the options on [day]. Which one felt closest, and what would you change?
- Disruption
- Hello, [Name], it is [your name] from [agency]. I am calling about the change to your flight. I will explain the options and help you choose.
Replace the brackets with your own details. Keep the line short enough to say in one breath.
Wording to handle with care
General reminders, not an exhaustive list. Rules differ by country and company, so follow your company’s approved wording.
- Price and availability claims
- State the total price including extras and check availability before confirming.
- Statements about visas, health or entry rules
- Refer travellers to official sources and avoid interpreting rules for them.
- Descriptions of hotels and destinations
- Be accurate and avoid exaggeration. Use supplier information you can verify.
- Cancellation and refund terms
- Explain them before payment and put them in writing.
This is training material, not legal advice. For anything specific, ask your compliance or legal team.
Practise these calls in DIRI AI
Talk to an AI customer by voice and read a report with the transcript afterwards. These scenarios are the closest fit for this industry.
Recommended practice scenarios
- Price objection after an offer
- Respectful scheduling of a follow-up
- Qualifying an inbound lead without a clear budget
Objections to practise first
Say it out loud before a customer hears it
Pick a scenario, talk to an AI customer and see in the report which sentences helped and which to try again.
Related guides in Learn
Questions about this industry
Travel: which call types come up most often?
Holiday enquiry: Ask about who is travelling, when, budget and priorities before suggesting options. Quote follow-up: Check what is stopping a decision and answer practical questions. Group or corporate travel call: Arrange travel for a team or event with several constraints. Changes and disruption call: Help a traveller after a cancellation or delay with empathy and clear options.
Travel: who do you talk to and what do they care about?
Family planning a holiday: Value, convenience for children and knowing what happens if plans change. Couple or small group: Experience, flexibility and trusting the recommendations. Corporate travel arranger: Policy compliance, cost control and quick rebooking.
Travel: how do you answer the most common objections?
“I found it cheaper online.” Thank you for telling me. Could we compare what each includes, such as transfers, baggage and cancellation, so that we compare the same package? “We need to discuss it as a family.” Naturally. I can send a clear summary and hold the option for a short time, if available, while you talk.
Travel: which wording needs care on calls?
Price and availability claims: State the total price including extras and check availability before confirming. Statements about visas, health or entry rules: Refer travellers to official sources and avoid interpreting rules for them. Descriptions of hotels and destinations: Be accurate and avoid exaggeration. Use supplier information you can verify. Cancellation and refund terms: Explain them before payment and put them in writing. This is training material, not legal advice. For anything specific, ask your compliance or legal team.
Travel: can I practise these calls in DIRI AI?
Yes. DIRI AI lets you practise phone calls by voice with an AI customer and read a report with the transcript afterwards. The Free plan includes 3 calls a month of up to 5 minutes each, and paid plans start with a 7-day trial.