5 2
Advantage tool allows clients to tweak quotes
Ben Ireland
ben.ireland@
travelweekly.co.uk
Advantage Travel Partnership is to launch a tool that allows its agent members to give customers access to quotes and suggest amendments at any time of the day.
Advantage Connect creates a
private web link displaying quotes put together following a shop visit or phone call. The agent emails the link to customer, who can then make alterations at their leisure. The mini-sites feature a live chat
facility and allow customers to view and add product, invite others in the travelling party to view details, and download travel documents. Destination content produced
by ArrivalGuides is also shown, with commissionable ancillaries highlighted and able to be added to the quote at any stage, including during the holiday. Agencies can track conversion
rates and gather data to help boost them – something Advantage’s
Winners: Rob Kenton, with Triangle Travel staff, and Hollie-Rae Brader (far right)
800-plus members had requested. Dashboards, accessible 24 hours
a day including via mobile, are used to manage quotes. Agents and customers get notifications every time a change is made. Advantage Connect has the capability to allow booking, but Advantage has chosen not to make this available from launch. The tool is free for members
to set up but costs an “affordable monthly licence fee”. It is fully customisable, so an agency’s branding can feature on the links. Developed with Snow Storm
Technologies, the tool is exclusive to Advantage in the UK. “It brings the quote to life,” said
David Forder, head of marketing at Advantage. “We’re using technology to help our members increase productivity and improve engagement with customers.” A group of Advantage leisure
agents helped steer the design and functionality. Members will be offered
webinars, training and marketing support on Advantage Connect.
Kenton and Brader win AWTE awards
Amie Keeley
amie.keeley@
travelweekly.co.uk
Travel Weekly Group’s Hollie- Rae Brader and Triangle Travel owner Rob Kenton were among those honoured at this year’s Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) Awards.
Brader, who is editor of Travel
Weekly’s luxury sister title Aspire, won the business impact award, which is given to a female in the travel, tourism or hospitality sector who has shown great innovation and made a measurable impact on her business or the industry. Since Brader became editor
in 2016, Aspire has seen record turnover. One of her biggest projects has been the relaunch of the quarterly magazine, which drew on agent and supplier feedback. “Aspire has seen huge growth
over the past two years, with new events such as Leaders of Luxury and the redesign and relaunch of the magazine,” said Brader. “Travel Weekly Group has
Advantage Connect displays
quotes to customers via private web links
always supported the progression of women within the company.” Travel agent Rob Kenton won the AWTE’s new ambassador
“The AWTE actively encourages, and supports and enables women in business”
award, which recognises a male member of the industry who supports women in business. The business owner, all of whose
staff are female, was recognised for helping employees return to work after having children. He said: “My business has been
built by woman who are dedicated and passionate about travel.” Claire Osborne of Travelport
won the honorary award for her work upgrading the AWTE’s website, while the company award went to Travelzoo for its diversity and inclusion initiative. Five members were added
to the AWTE’s ‘Most Influential Women in Travel’ list: Ruth Hilton, ex-Trafalgar and Insight Vacations; Jess Dennison, Latin Routes; Rachel Healey, Uniworld; Lisa Henning, The Travel Network
Group; and Erin Johnson, Silversea. › For a list of winners and more pictures, go to
travelweekly.co.uk
13 September 2018
travelweekly.co.uk 5 3 STORIES HOT
PICTURES: LEO WILKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY
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