NEWS ROUND-UP
THOMAS COOK RETAIL CONFERENCE: “We haven’t opened new stores for a long time; we will be looking at new sites” Kathryn Darbandi, page 18
IN THE PICTURE: Seeing stars
Travel Weekly’s latest crop of Cover Stars has returned to the UK after a week of makeovers and photoshoots in Miami and a sailing onNorwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Escape. The 12 winners, representing high street,
homeworking and call centre agencies from across the UK, received makeovers at two Simon Shopping Destinations centres, before embarking on a three-day cruise from Miami that took in Nassau (pictured). They flew to and from Miami in style with Virgin
Atlantic, and were hosted by the revamped Eden Roc resort in Miami Beach. › Check out our four-page special report on the Cover Stars 2016 trip in next week’s Travel Weekly
Photo: Steve Hockstein/Harvard Studio Photography
TTNG unveils consumer marketing plans for 2016
Jennifer Morris
jennifer.morris@
travelweekly.co.uk
The Travel Network Group (TTNG) will target consumers directly on behalf of members with text messages and tailored billboards for the first time as part of its marketing strategy for 2016.
Si Prentice, group marketing
director for TTNG, which has about 850 members across its Worldchoice, Travel Trust Association and Independent Travel Experts consortia, said it had adopted an increasingly personalised marketing strategy to take “hassle” away from members and speed up the time it took for consumers to receive key messages. The group will produce five
magazines – called Escape, Select, Traveller, Explorer and Voyager – on behalf of members, which will be mailed to consumers. Text messages will also be sent
direct to customers detailing the agency’s contact details and offers.
“We are acting like a marketing agency for our members”
tailored to include local members’ contact details and deals. Additionally, adverts featuring a call to action for consumers to contact agents will be rolled out in the national press, and on the Amazon and Asda websites. TTNG will also launch the TTA
OUTDOOR ADS: A first for TTNG
“We are acting like a marketing agency for our members,” said Prentice. “The strategy is based on segmenting our members’ consumers with the right product at the right time in the right place, as quickly and efficiently as possible. And it’s all free to members.” The group is also introducing outdoor adverts for the first time,
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travelweekly.co.uk 26 November 2015
Holidays web platform for its tour operator members, which will allow them to connect directly with consumers and showcase their product to other members. A ‘deals zone’ will be introduced on the consortium’s online portal, on which external operators that are not members can communicate offers to agents. Members have been encouraged
to take advantage of dedicated webinars on the details of the new strategy. The webinars are being held in the run-up to the peak booking period in January.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Cosmos Tours appoints Morgan as director
Former Monarch chairman Hugh Morgan has joined Cosmos Tours as a director. Michael Vinales, previously of Avro, has joined as business development director, while Samuel Parker has been promoted from head of finance to finance director.
Audley Travel tipped to be close to being taken over
A £200 million-plus takeover of Audley Travel is near completion following a bid from US investment firm KKR. Audley is majority-owned by Equistone Partners Europe. Equistone and Audley founders John Brewer and Craig Burkinshaw have spoken to several private equity firms, with KKR thought to be the favoured option.
Day, McCall and Jeffery shortlisted for awards
Affordable Car Hire chief executive Angela Day and easyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall have been shortlisted in the Most Aspirational category of the Inspiration Awards for Women. Meanwhile, Just a Drop founder Fiona Jeffery has been shortlisted in the Social Change Awards’ Influencer category.
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