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McEwan: Global deal makes sense Lucy Huxley


The Travel Network Group’s planned acquisition of Global Travel Group “makes sense” and could “drive economies of scale”, according to a former independent agency consortium boss. But ex-Advantage Travel


Partnership chief John McEwan said there were “alternatives” for any members not happy with the deal. He said Global’s “hybrid model”,


which combines agencies that are “truly independent, standing on their own two feet” with those that are “more dependent and rely heavily on payment systems”, could be “easily accommodated” by TTNG as it operates a “similar model”. “They are quite suited,” he said.


“If this acquisition is done well, it would make sense.”


The deal, which would see Global’s


200-plus members become part of TTNG, joining its network of more than 1,000 retail and homeworking travel agency members, is due to be finalised in the coming weeks. Global will remain a separate


entity within the group, alongside existing TTNG divisions the Travel Trust Association, Worldchoice and Independent Travel Experts. McEwan said he expected TTNG


to “drive economies of scale” over time. “They might keep both brands,” he said. “But this is a sizeable number of members and gives TTNG more scale to look at marketing, supplier relationships, web services and operational issues [as one].” McEwan said he saw “no


disadvantages” for Global members, but said agents would vote with their feet. “Advantage is recruiting and Not


Clia reveals work on ‘door to door’ restart protocols


Robin Searle


The UK cruise sector is working closely with the government, public health bodies and maritime authorities on restart protocols that will go “way beyond” other sectors, according to Clia. Andy Harmer, director of Clia


UK & Ireland, said a focus on the resumption of air travel and safety measures at airports was being mirrored by cruise lines and ports. In a column on Travel Weekly’s


6 2 JULY 2020


website, he said: “A lot of work is going on in the background to transform the experience of taking a cruise. The industry is working in collaboration with the government on a ‘door to door’ strategy – from the time of booking through to the passengers’ return home – that will go way beyond protocols in place or proposed for any other travel sector.” He added: “Clia has been working


closely with the Department for Transport, Port Health, Public Health England and the Maritime


& Coastguard Agency to develop the roadmap to resumption – what will happen from time of booking to embarkation at the port, onboard, ports of call, disembarkation and customer follow-up. “We are also engaged with public


health professionals as we review the customer journey, from minimising the likelihood of onboard cases by screening of each guest before departure, through comprehensive onboard management and repatriation plans should cases occur on board.”


Gary Lewis


Just Travel is expanding and has taken on Cherie Richards who was well- respected [as commercial director] at Global,” he said. “Members will either be very happy with the move or consider other opportunities.” Gary Lewis, chief executive of The


Travel Network Group, said: “Our longstanding partnership with dnata and Gold Medal is one of the key reasons why we have put together this proposition. One of our core strategies is to have scale in the market.” John Bevan, chief executive


of dnata Travel Group, added: “It seemed appropriate that we gave strategic direction for Global Travel Group to be supported by owners whose focus is solely around their membership proposition. We’re confident the many friends we have within Global will continue to thrive with The Travel Network Group.”


Andy Harmer Harmer welcomed comments


made recently by the prime minister that cruise was a “great British industry” which would be supported by the government “in any way that we can”. And he said plans for a pan-


European framework should pave the way for the sector’s restart, adding: “We expect interim guidance from [joint action scheme] EU Healthy Gateways to be published this week, supporting the resumption of cruise


activity in a coordinated way.” i Tradewind Voyages launch, page 10


travelweekly.co.uk


PICTURES: iStock; Steve Dunlop


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