p2 apr3 1/4/09 21:45 Page 2
Ban fam trips? You
might as well take
news
holidays – by video
ONE OF TRAVEL’S most prolific bloggers ranted this
week that travel agent fam trips should be banned.
His comment came after it was announced that
more than 2,000 travel agents were heading off “on
a jolly” for three days to Dubai.
The blogger was incredulous that in today’s
world of online training and videoconferencing,
money was still being “fluttered away sending agents
this week
to the sunshine”.
Apart from the environmental impact overseas
trips have, the blogger also said it sent the wrong
message in a recession. In fact, the writer went as
far as to say that fams were unethical.
Pretty strong stuff. And no doubt a view that will
get a lot of you going.
I take the point that technology can now make
training efficient, visual, engaging and interactive –
and here at TTG we do, of course, run our own online
TTG Knowledge College.
Coming to a screen near you...
But, despite being a valuable tool, online training Travel TV, the supplier of promotional plasma screen to travel agents, unveiled
can never be a substitute for seeing a place first-hand. a new look this week, as it sets a 500-shop target for its screens. Here, sales
Granted, we perhaps need to be a bit more and marketing director Martin Lomax shows off the new logo. Full story, p9
sensible in the current economic downturn – and
many companies and organisations are. Agency purchase. Website relaunch.
Advantage, for example, is holding its annual Harvey ‘to rejoin Abta’ p4 Fresh look for Freedom p12
conference in Heathrow this year. The new owner of the Harvey Freedom Direct has relaunched its
And there was some criticism this week of Abta World Travel chain of stores plans website, complete with videos and
holding its latest board meeting in Majorca. But it to renew its Abta membership Google Earth images, and marked
argued that it was supported by the Spanish tourist within months the occasion by rewarding a caring
board, which saw it as an opportunity to counter a grandmother with a free holiday
drop in visitor numbers to the country from the UK. Abta resignation.
We have to be honest about this. We work in an Freudmann: ‘no regrets’ p5 US sales.
industry that is fundamentally about sending Former Abta director Steven Operators issue plea p13
millions of people abroad every year, and Freudmann has said he was sorry US specialist operators and agents
which would send millions more if it could. a company he was associated with have urged the trade to move
What message does it convey if this, of all failed leaving creditors unpaid – swiftly to change perceptions
industries, feels embarrassed about sending but insisted he had no regrets about the value of US holidays
its own people overseas on trips designed to to halt a downturn in bookings
improve product knowledge? Air.
Agents should be encouraged to New routes plunge 69% p6 City & finance.
gain more experiences to further Aviation is said to be facing a crisis GFK buys Ascent MI p14
their knowledge in order to sell as the number of new scheduled Travel research company Ascent
more holidays – not be shamed services being started at UK airports MI has been acquired by German
into staying at home. this summer will be two-thirds firm GfK Group, a move it is hoped
If those who would ban fewer compared with last year will help the UK firm add the
fam trips take their argument to cruise and aviation sectors to its
its logical conclusion, why should Supplier deal. travel trade analysis
anyone bother going on holiday at Holiday Team tie-up p7
all when they could just watch a The Holiday Team has agreed a SECTORS.
video of the place? preferred supplier arrangement Cruise p18
with Advantage, allowing the Air p20
Lucy Huxley Editor consortium’s agents to add a Business travel p22
mark-up to its flights and hotels Letters p26
02 03.04.2009
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