NEWS CONFERENCE REPORT
Elite Travel Group Conference: Ninety agents and suppliers attend consortium’s annual event. Juliet Dennis reports from Granada, Spain
Elite’s Wayne Darrock (left) and new general manager John Escott
Elite invites homeworkers to join ‘unique’ new model
The Elite Travel Group has called on the trade not to “judge” it on size as it looks to attract homeworkers for the first time.
The consortium has 49 members with more than 80 travel agencies, generating a combined turnover in excess of £100 million. Chairman Wayne Darrock said
there were no specific recruitment targets, but Elite had been guilty of “not shouting” about the benefits of its “small but significant and profitable” consortium in the past. The homeworking option is due
to become available in the next two to three months. Speaking at last weekend’s
Elite Travel Group Conference in Granada, Spain, he outlined plans to create a business model that would open the door to new homeworkers just starting out. Traditionally, the consortium has turned down homeworkers as members because it hasn’t had a division specifically for them. The new model would allow
individual agents starting as homeworkers to work with or for
Elite members. This could involve agencies employing homeworkers, or renting out desk space to them. Darrock said the consortium
would outline available options and put interested homeworkers in touch with all members. It would be up to members how they proceed. “I don’t know anyone who has this model in the industry,” he said. The consortium is looking
to increase in size, but Darrock stressed: “It’s not the be all and end all.” As well as free membership
and shared overrides – where suppliers’ bonus override payments are divided between the member and Elite rather than kept by the consortium – one of the benefits of the consortium is that members’ voices are heard, said Darrock. “Our members have a voice.
With the big guys, they don’t,” he said. “It’s more intimate. Size does not matter. For the right agent we are a fantastic offering. “We must not be judged by the number of members. Adding value in sales is what matters.”
Escott pledges to visit members regularly
Elite Travel Group’s new general manager has pledged to improve communication with members. John Escott, whose appointment was announced at the start of
the conference, said the consortium had begun looking at new ways to keep members better informed of offers and improve product knowledge. Escott said: “I will be calling and visiting members on a regular
basis to check they have what they need.” Next year, Elite will bring back ‘VIP events’ for members which specialise in the luxury sector, including overseas trips.
Jordan Harper (left), Elite Travel Group, with Sarah Clewlow, Regent Travel, Elite’s newest member
WHAT DID YOU GET OUT OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE?
“I was inspired by [former Tucan Travel tour leader] speaker Natalia Cohen who talked about
how she organised her team and kept up morale rowing across the Pacific. I could use some of her ideas in my team.” Robert Lines, Knowle Travel
“I’m more likely to go to Abta now about issues, but I think we need to break down the
term ‘sustainability’ into the separate areas it covers.” Colin Matthews, Travel Club Elite
“The networking has been so good. As a homeworker you can feel like you’re out
on a limb sometimes, so networking is important.” Loraine Wheatley, Journey The World
10
travelweekly.co.uk 4 October 2018
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