Just You has invested in a free new app, Kindred, which is designed to connect current, future and past guests.
The company emphasised that the app was not created as a direct sales tool, and agents are being encouraged to join the conversations. When a customer has booked their Just You tour with a travel agent, the agent will be sent the Kindred sign-up link to forward to their client.
Tom Morgan, trade sales director, said the app could help agents convert bookings because of the reassurance it provided: “This is a connections app that brings people together and helps alleviate nerves. From an agent point of view, this is not about direct selling, there’s no facility to book.”
He added that initial feedback had been positive from agents who had been taking part in early trials of the new community.
“For agents, it strengthens trust with clients by highlighting the community experience of a Just You tour.”
Adam Kemp, managing director, Just You explained the app had been in testing for a few weeks and it already had 2,100 members and 400 active chats.
Speaking about the growth of the solo travel market, he said it belonged to affluent, adventurous, tech-savvy over-55s.
“Since the pandemic, Just You has achieved mid-teens percentage growth or higher every year.”
And he spoke about the need to add extra departures for tours such as the 21-day Silk Road: Legends of the Five Stans tour, because they were proving so popular.
He described Kindred as “the ultimate safety net for first-time solo travellers”, somewhere that travel lovers could come together to share recommendations and make real connections.
The app, built with specialist community software provider, Mighty Networks, has discussions boards, private group chats, and inspiring content for travellers. There’s also the ability to set polls and surveys, and share photos and videos.
Marketing director Charlotte Field explained that groups for specific departures will be set up 40 days before the tour starts, with the holiday director joining 24 hours before.
“We’re seeing threads build momentum as travellers discuss which airports they are flying from and agree to meet so they check in together. For all those pre-departure essentials, travellers can ask questions in a safe environment.”
Just You has been offering group tours for solo travellers for more than 25 years. Customers are guaranteed their own rooms, without the financial penalty of a single supplement.
