TTNG plans to expand shop network Andrew McQuarrie
The Travel Network Group is likely to add to its 26 owned stores as soon as this month, according to chief executive Gary Lewis. During a webcast interview with
Travel Weekly, Lewis said the retail side of the business represented a “small” part of operations because there are a total of 1,100 members, but he revealed growth was imminent. Asked whether shops would be
added this year, he said: “Without doubt. This month, probably.” Lewis said the growth of the
shop network would have benefits for the wider membership.
“If we can demonstrate, for
example, that a shop is 24% up in a particular area and our members are 12% up, we can say why and explain what we’re doing,” he said. Lewis added: “We bring stats
and data back and show them [members], with honesty, this is what we’re doing with our 26 shops across the country and this is how we’re benchmarking their numbers. “And we’ll say this shop is up
for this reason and this shop is down maybe for personnel reasons and not for market reasons. “So it allows you to be granular
with the detail about what’s actually happening with the
US operators offer itinerary changes as LA fires rage
Andrew McQuarrie
US specialist operators are allowing travellers booked to wildfire-hit Los Angeles to alter their itineraries, while calling on the trade to continue supporting the destination. At least 24 people had died and
23 were missing as Travel Weekly went to press, with nearly 90,000 remaining under evacuation orders, as two large fires and two smaller blazes continued to burn. Operators said UK traveller
numbers to California at this time of year were always low, but there were clients due to travel in the coming weeks. “We’re giving clients the opportunity to vary itineraries
4 16 JANUARY 2025
depending on where they are going,” said USAirtours founder and chief executive Guy Novik, who outlined a need to help sustain visitor numbers and pointed to the strength of the destination. He said: “We do anticipate some
customer concern but as the current fire damage has not significantly affected the majority of tourist areas, we will be reassuring those planning to visit LA this summer that it should remain on their itinerary. “The best way to support
our friends in the LA tourist sector is to double our efforts and remind customers what a great destination it is.” Ocean Holidays said it was in
contact with its suppliers and hotel A long time ago
people were saying high street retail was dead – it clearly isn’t
market and benchmarking that.” Taking into account the
performance across all members, last year was successful. “Across the membership, we were
about 12.5% to 13% up,” Lewis said. “It slowed down in December
a little bit more than hoped, but overall it was a fantastic year for the majority of our members – we had record days and record months.”
He also expressed positivity
about this year, describing members as “really excited” about 2025. Continued investment in retail
estates should be recognised as a sign that traditional approaches to travel sales remain relevant today, he added. “When we came into the industry
a long time ago, people were telling us even then that retail in the high street was dead – it clearly isn’t. It’s a fantastic way of living and breathing in the community,” he said.
Watch the interview with Gary Lewis in full at:
travelweekly.co.uk/media
At least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles fires
partners about upcoming departures. Helen Taylor, West Coast product
manager, said: “We remain fully committed to supporting both travel agents and direct customers on a case- by-case basis as the situation evolves.” Asked about the potential
impact on future demand, she said: “While plans may adjust slightly, overall demand is expected to remain the same.” Francine Sheridan, Los Angeles
Tourism’s regional vice-president for Europe and the Middle East, thanked the UK trade for its support. “We’ve always felt supported by the travel trade, and their help will never be as important to us than when we start our recovery process,” she said.
“We’re very much still adapting to
the fires in real time. Focus remains on the safety of residents, visitors and first responders.” Los Angeles Tourism is matching
donations made to the American Red Cross by staff and industry partners, up to $25,000. America As You Like It is among
the operators offering flexibility to travellers with upcoming departures. “It’s too early to tell the potential
impact on those people travelling – they may want to change the location where they’re staying,” said product director Cath Pusey, adding: “We want to try to support LA as much as possible in terms of getting visitors back.”
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Lando Aviles
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