p8 newsWTM Nov6 4/11/09 19:34 Page 8
news conference preview
ttglive.com
WTM
November 9-12 ■ ExCeL ■ London
Homeworking agency to sound out partners for
ECONOMY.
joint ventures in China, India and Scandinavia
Cook boss warns
of new green tax
Counsellors eyes growth
THOMAS COOK boss Manny Fontenla-Novoa has
warned that when the recovery comes, govern-
ments could levy new green taxes that could
Chris Gray.
the markets. Scandinavia could be run along seriously damage economies reliant on tourism.
TRAVEL COUNSELLORS intends to use World similar lines, although the operation could also He was responding to a World Travel Market
Travel Market to sound out potential partners to take the form of a subsidiary company. survey which asked travel company bosses to
help it expand into China, India and Scandinavia. Byrne will explain the plan to tourist boards, predict how the industry will develop in relation
The homeworking agency plans to operate a airlines and operators from the new markets at to sustainability over the next 30 years.
master franchise or joint venture in the three re- WTM. He will then hold formal talks with poten- Fontenla-Novoa said environmental concerns
gions, rather than the fully owned subsidiary tial partners, which could include agency chains, had taken a back seat during the recession, but
model it runs in existing overseas operations. other leisure retailers or operators. would be back on the agenda when the economy
Travel Counsellors currently operates in Ire- Meanwhile, Travel Counsellors has announced improved.
land, Holland, the US, South Africa, Australia and that for the first time agents from outside He added that the agenda was being driven by
Canada. Overseas sales rose 64% to £40 million the company can attend its conference, at governments, rather than consumers.
in the year to the end of October. Manchester Central convention centre on “Governments will continue to tax flying, but
The rise in international business, which December 4-6. how else can you easily get overseas?” he asked.
makes up 15% of Travel Counsellors’ total sales, Byrne said the aim of allowing agents to attend “You must consider how important tourism is
compensated for a 5% drop in UK sales. Overall, the sessions on December 5 was to let them see to many economies around the world. What would
group sales were 3% up on 2008. the support Travel Counsellors gave its members. happen to Turkey, Greece and even Spain if
Managing director Steve Byrne said the There will also be a special session for outside tourism was taxed out of peoples’ price ranges?”
company hoped to boost overseas sales to 30% agents, offering them an insight into the company. He was backed by Hugh Morgan, Monarch’s
of the business within three years. If you would like to attend the conference or overseas and product director, who called for
He said Travel Counsellors had decided to an open day at Travel Counsellors’ head office, stronger lobbying from the travel industry over
operate franchises or partnerships in China and in Bolton, on December 9, phone 0800 072 5704 the next three decades.
India because of the scale and complexities of or email career@travelcounsellors.com.
TTG WTM PARTY.
We’ve picked our winners!
It’s not long now until our WTM party, which
is being held on Wednesday, Novemeber 11
at TwetnyFour in Soho, and 10 lucky agents
have won invites to join the fun! Go to
ttglive.com/wtm to see if you’re one of them.
During the event, main sponsor Qatar Air-
ways will also be celebrating the launch of its
new London-Melbourne route. Other sponsors
include Affordable Car Hire, Taxi Media and
Ibiza Rocks, which is supplying the DJ.
Affordable Car Hire’s Sarah Clayton-Turner
said: “We are absolutely delighted to be a
sponsor of the TTG party. Affordable Car Hire
EASY PREY: Visitors to the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority stand at WTM will meet will be celebrating our fifth year in business
champion falcons Jeer Shaheen (pictured with trainer Othman Essa) and Jeer Hurr. but we will also be celebrating the launch of
Delegates can have their photo taken with a bird in return for a donation to Just a Drop the Affordable Travel Group.”
08 06.11.2009
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