TTNG introduces raft of trade marketing strategies
Samantha Mayling TTNG Conference, Munich
The Travel Network Group (TTNG) unveiled a raft of marketing initiatives for agents at its conference in Munich this week, including a deal to distribute consumer magazines at supermarkets. Chief executive Gary Lewis
announced a free customer relationship management (CRM) system developed with travel technology specialist Inspiretec. He said the CRM system joins
data together from multiple sources into a single view, improving the customer experience and efficiencies, and boosting revenues and margins. It can be integrated into back-office
systems to tell agency bosses how customers are booking and how to segment them. The system will be introduced in the new year. “It will help you change your
behaviour and be more relevant to customers,” said Lewis. “That data has a big impact on
how you have conversations [with customers] and plan marketing.” Group marketing director Ross
East said the magazine distribution agreement with Asda, Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons would help attract new customers.
The magazines – personalised to
include members’ contact details – will be TTNG’s Where Next? publication, which features mainstream holidays, and its fastest-growing publication, The Cruise Collection. “The service is free – it’s part of
your [membership] package,” he said. East also outlined a new bespoke
service to print business cards, letterheads, posters, flyers, leaflets and banners. “We can use our scale to help you,” he added. To target existing customers on
agency databases, a new, free email marketing service will arrange for e-shots to help drive enquiries – and help save time for agents. East said the e-shots can be
Baldwins Travel expands beyond southeast with Grantham shop
Baldwins Travel is to open a branch in Grantham, Lincolnshire – its first outside the southeast. The opening is part of an expansion plan to add five stores to the agency’s network in the next 18 months in areas where it does not have a presence. Baldwins said Grantham was chosen because of its “rich history and vibrant community”.
8 7 DECEMBER 2023
Gary Lewis on stage in Munich
tailored to regions, allowing agents to feature offers from a local airport. The service will also be able to
produce personalised newsletters and be integrated with the new CRM. “If you have a great offer from a
cruise line, you can send it to cruise customers only,” said East. The system can also be automated
to contact existing customers who have not been in touch for a certain period of time with a “we miss you” message. About 260 delegates attended
the TTNG conference at the Westin Grand Munich hotel. The figure was down on the 500 expected, as many people were unable to travel following major snow disruption in Bavaria.
Kings-Hodkin to join Disney Destinations International
Royal Caribbean International head of sales Torey Kings-Hodkin will join Disney Destinations International as trade sales and marketing director on February 19. Kings-Hodkin, who joined Royal Caribbean in February 2020 after 27 years at Thomas Cook, replaces Tracey Silverwood.
US-based First in Service expands into UK market
US-based tailor-made specialist First in Service Travel (F1S) is opening a London office as it expands into the UK market. F1S will start operating from
a hub in Covent Garden – to be headed by business travel stalwart Barry Whittaker – in February. Whittaker previously worked
for travel management company Tzell for 15 years before leaving in early 2023. Prior to Tzell, he held roles with Abercrombie & Kent and Global Travel Collection. F1S was founded in 1991 by
siblings Fernando Gonzalez, the company’s chief executive, and president Erika Reategui. Gonzalez said: “Despite the
challenges posed by the pandemic, we believe the time is right for F1S to offer its unique travel-experience services to the discerning travellers and independent travel advisors of the UK.” F1S is looking to recruit a team
of independent travel specialists with experience of working with SMEs, as well as in sectors such as entertainment, film and TV production, fashion, media, and meetings and events. Gonzalez said Whittaker’s
leadership would “elevate F1S’s presence in the UK” and “foster a community of travel enthusiasts passionate about curating exceptional travel experiences”.
Princess Cruises recruits Moore to succeed Hughes as sales director
Princess Cruises has appointed Hayley Moore as sales director for the UK and Europe. Moore will join the line early next year, replacing Nick Hughes, who is moving to join Scenic Group in January. Moore has held account management roles within the travel retail sector across the UK and Europe.
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Alex Maguire
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