p9 sep26 24/9/08 21:33 Page 9
ttglive.com
advantage conference preview news
Consortium chief John McEwan will seek to reassure delegates that Advantage’s split from Triton to
go it alone is in their best interests. Lee Hayhurst previews next week’s conference in Sitges, Spain
GUEST SPEAKER.
Crisis talk from
Advantage sets strategy
crash survivor
unfazed by Freudmann
DELEGATES at Advantage’s conference will hear
all about how to survive a crisis. ADVANTAGE bosses will tell delegates at this
Nando Parrado, the famed survivor of the 1972 weekend’s conference that its decision to leave
Andes plane crash immortalised in the book and Triton and go it alone was right, despite a
film Alive, will talk about his experiences. stinging attack from its former chairman.
Parrado, who was just 22 at the time, was one Steven Freudmann announced on Tuesday
of two survivors who trekked out of the Andes to that his firm Majestic Travel had left Advantage
find help. Parrado’s mother and younger sister to join Global Travel Group’s Independent
were among 45 passengers killed. Options and he had become chairman of Triton.
The survivors were forced to eat the bodies Freudmann is convinced Advantage will regret
of the dead passengers in order to survive the its decision to leave Triton and his views have
72-day ordeal. created tension between Advantage chief Freudmann: “Pressure” McEwan: “Cherry-pick”
He said: “We [the survivors] achieved executive John McEwan and him.
excellence in so many ways: working as a team, Although he said he “respected” Freudmann’s And he said the demise of XL Leisure Group
facing challenges, making decisions in crises, decision to leave, McEwan insisted the partner- was a warning shot to any agency groups with no
creating strategies. These are all things ships Advantage had forged since Triton stopped guarantees of stock.
commonly used in business every day.” agreeing deals in May vindicated his position. “United we stand, divided we fall,” he said. “The
“Operators are looking for efficient distributors commercial team at Advantage underestimates
and that’s why suppliers want to work with us. the pressure that will be brought to bear over the
“In the future if you are not able to demon- next 12 months by many of our principals.
strate performance as a consortium then you “Larger companies are looking for strength in
cannot expect to get the deals,” he said. size. Splendid isolation is great in principal but
“Suppliers are cherry-picking and Advantage actually it leaves you incredibly vulnerable.”
wants to be the consortium they cherry-pick.” Freudmann, who is also an Abta board
However, Freudmann fears Advantage’s stance member, said the “door would remain open” to
could put independent agents who are already any Advantage agents who wanted to attend
struggling financially at further risk. Triton’s annual conference.
Nando Parrado was the inspiration behind the movie Alive
POACHING RIFT.
TRITON DISPUTE.
Triton: ‘Advantage has declared war’
Global agents told:
FORMER Advantage chairman Steven Freudmann declaration of war appears to have been made,
has condemned moves to end a no-poaching and that’s in no one’s interests.”
‘We don’t want you’
agreement between former Triton members as However, Advantage chairman John McEwan
a “declaration of war”. said the consortium had “no desire to go back to
ADVANTAGE has told delegates from Global Advantage, Worldchoice and Global Travel any sort of poaching war”.
Travel Group they are not welcome at this week- Group signed a no-poaching agreement as part “All we want to be able to do is promote our
end’s conference following the split with Triton. of the formation of the Triton super-consortium. services and products. Anybody looking at joining
Advantage is unhappy with the way the decision But after Advantage decided to leave Triton it a consortium will look at their merits,” he said.
to exit Triton descended into a public row and said has indicated in writing that as part of the split Two weeks ago, Colin Heal, chairman of
it would be inappropriate for Global to attend. it wants to revive the ability to promote its own Worldchoice, said he was happy to continue the
However, Advantage chairman John McEwan services. no-poaching agreement.
said the contract Advantage has with Global for New Triton chairman Freudmann said: “How “It’s not in the interests of the independent
Triton product would continue to be honoured. that can be in the best interests of Advantage I sector to have consortia fighting like rats in
Triton chairman Steven Freudmann described can’t see when there are so many external threats. a sack – nobody gains from that,” he said as
the move as “petty”. “This takes us back to the dark ages. A Advantage’s exit from Triton was revealed.
26.09.2008 09
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104