BUSINESS NEWS
ry board. Ian Taylor asks some of the board members what makes the convention important to them ‘The convention offers insight to widen your horizons’
Jeanette Harper, senior director of international travel and partnerships, Avis Budget Group
Avis has long been a supporter of Abta and the convention.
The trade is a key part of our distribution network and will continue to be. The convention is one of the
key events in the industry calendar where the trade comes together with industry leaders. I lead our partnerships and
relationships team and having face-to-face contact is more important than ever. While Zoom continues
to be beneficial, I’ve relished meeting people in person again. Networking is more important than it has ever been. The convention is an opportunity to reconnect with people. The world has changed and I want to look forward. I’m
interested in how the landscape of distribution is changing. Is it different by customer segment, or different for tour operators or for online travel agents? I like to use the event as a
sponge, to take in everything. You get a lot of insight at the convention and it helps widen your horizons. I like [Abta chief] Mark
‘The key thing is networking with decision-makers in the industry’
Martin Alcock, director, The Travel Trade Consultancy
The convention is one of the key events in the annual calendar
and October is a good time for it to take place for us because we get the September Atol renewals out of the way and have a chance to reset. The networking is always
important. But this year in particular the convention is important because we’re all grappling with so much more – so much is changing. The key thing is networking with
decision-makers in the industry. We don’t go to the convention to win business, but what we sell
travelweekly.co.uk
is having a finger on the pulse and being clear on issues, so the content this year will be important. I always like to listen to [former
Conservative minister] Rory Stewart. Given the unfolding political mess, he should be really interesting speaking a month after the new Conservative Party leader and prime minister is installed. Stewart is also an international traveller. I like to hear views from
people outside the industry, but I particularly like the political speakers and the economic view. However, the biggest draw of the convention is that it’s a great place to get together. It’s an efficient way for us to see a lot of clients. We work with
Jeanette Harper
Tanzer’s keynote speech, and Intrepid Travel is always interesting because of its focus on sustainability so I’m looking forward to hearing [chief executive] James Thornton. Intrepid is also co-sponsoring the Abta LifeLine cycle ride with us. We’re life-long supporters of
Abta LifeLine and continue to sponsor the bike ride in aid of it. We started sponsoring the ride in Seville and it has become more and more popular. It is an opportunity to see the real Marrakech, although I’m not sure about the traffic. We have changed our approach
to how we support events. We’re very deliberate in our decision- making, paying close attention to relevance, thought leadership and the breadth of the network. The Abta convention is a key event. Personally, I love Marrakech.
I haven’t been for 10 years, but I know people there. I’m going to add a little leisure time.
Martin Alcock
Sign up for Abta LifeLine cycle ride in Marrakech
There are still a few places available to join the Abta LifeLine cycle ride in Marrakech on October 10 and gain a view of some of the city’s historical sights and cultural traditions. The ride will take in two
Unesco World Heritage Sites – the Al-Manara Gardens and Agdal Gardens – and explore the traditional villages of The Palmary, ending with a lunch made from local ingredients at the Amal Association, an organisation that seeks to empower disadvantaged women through restaurant training. The event is supported by
Intrepid Travel and Avis Budget Group and the ride will be led by Intrepid tour guides. Abta LifeLine director Trudie
Clements said: “The Abta LifeLine cycle ride has become a much-loved feature of The Travel Convention as it allows delegates to get to grips with the host city while giving back to the industry and showing support for colleagues in need. “By working with Amal, we’re
offering delegates the chance to uncover a different side to Marrakech and extend their support to an important cause in the host destination.” Tickets cost £45 and include
bicycle, helmet and lunch, with all proceeds going to Abta
companies all around Europe and a lot of them will be in one place in Marrakech. The venue is also a draw. There
are so many events these days that the destination comes into it when you decide whether to go. I’ve been once before to Marrakech. I’m hoping to join the Abta LifeLine ride.
LifeLine and Amal. i For full details visit: thetravel
convention.com/cycle-for-lifeline
Travel Convention, Tokyo, 2019
1 SEPTEMBER 2022
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PICTURES: Arif Gardner; Charles Sturge; Sarah Lucy Brown; Steve Dunlop
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