� IN FOCUS l GROUP TRAVEL


Keeping calm and carrying on


Helping members cope with changes to legislation has been on the agenda for Wendy Hartley-Scarff, chief executive of the Association of Group Travel Organisers


S


ince taking over as chief executive of the Association of Group Travel Organisers


at the start of the year, Wendy Hartley-Scarff has been busy with strategic developments, recruitment plans and a raft of new legislation. May saw the introduction of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), described as the most important change in data privacy regulation in 20 years. It was followed in July by the


EU Package Travel Directive, which extended the 1990 package travel directive beyond traditional package holidays. “Our members have been kept up to speed with the GDPR and package legislation with special


NEED TO KNOW


� Showcase and AGM weekend: Eastwood Hall Hotel,


Nottingham (February 22-24) Just a short drive from the city of Nottingham, Eastwood Hotel is a ‘contemporary’ event and conference venue – ideal for meetings, business and leisure, with 150 guest rooms and a leisure club with a gym and pool. There is a fam trip planned for the Sunday to explore the region.


22 TravelGBI | October 2018


bulletins and updates on our website, with links to the experts in these fields – and the Agto helpline is available to members to direct them,” said Hartley-Scarff. “Most members appear to be handling the new legislation well and calmly. Should any of the members feel they need to discuss the legislation or feel they need help we do have experts on hand with Travlaw and Towergate to assist.”


� New strategy Aside from dealing with legislative changes, and concerns about the impact of Brexit, she’s been reviewing the association’s strategy, to meet the challenges and changes in the market. “The group travel market is widening to incorporate exciting new elements such as the growing demand for experiential and adventure travel, multi-generational travel, themed, special interest and educational travel and even solo tours,” she said. The Agto board has agreed a new strategy which aims to increase the quality of members, and boost value for money and additional benefits, such as education and training.


travellers who are penalised for solo travelling,” she added. “It has been known for some


hotels to charge the single supplement for a single room.” She also agrees with other domestic trade experts who are disappointed by the decision of London & Partners to shift its support towards overseas markets, rather than the UK trade. “I personally think that the new London & Partners strategy not to work with the travel trade is very short-sighted,” she said. “The trade provides a huge


amount of business into London and further assistance from the likes of London & Partners will result in even more business into the city.”


Most members appear to be handling the new legislation well and calmly


She has looked at the return on


investment, both for GTO members and associate members, and reviewed recruitment methods to develop a more proactive approach. Furthermore, she has developed more national events to generate networking opportunities for members. “The feedback from members has helped to make the association more relevant in terms of providing contacts, ideas and value for money – topics which we are progressing,” she commented.


� Single supplements “One of the challenges that has been raised by members is the single supplement imposed by hotels – many groups are mixed and do include a number of single


� Wider audience She has been on a few day trips with groups, which included branch meetings, and is currently planning the association’s annual showcase, promising “it will be an event not to be missed”.


She also spoke at Abta’s Group


Travel & Escorted Tours Conference at the end of September. This offered her a chance to highlight the association to a wider audience and emphasise what GTOs want from suppliers to be successful in this “growing and lucrative market”. Meanwhile, Agto is working with


World Travel Market London as an Association Partner, and Agto members will have three-day access to the event (November 5-7). GTOs will be able to register for the Speed Networking sessions, offering a chance to meet suppliers. The association has also been


working with the Institute of Travel & Tourism on its Future You student conference which takes place at WTM London on November 7, as part of the WTM Career in Travel day. agto.co.uk


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