p9 advantage oct3 1/10/08 21:27 Page 9
news conference report
ttglive.com
Advantage Conference 2008
September 26-28 ■ Sitges, Spain
Consortium revels in its newly independent status. TTG six-page special, p9-14
OPERATOR SUPPORT. KEYNOTE SPEECH.
Advantage lauded
McEwan sets out
number one goal
for leaving Triton
ADVANTAGE chief executive John McEwan denied
the consortium’s stance was “isolationist”.
In his keynote address at the conference, he
said the strategy was all about developing
Lee Hayhurst.
Fisher said Advantage and Gold Medal had meaningful partnerships with “like-minded”
ADVANTAGE received high-level support from been “thrown together” because the operator’s organisations and delivering on those promises.
key commercial partners for its “go it alone” main competitor, Travel 2, traditionally a key McEwan claimed Advantage’s £2.5 billion
stance having decided to leave Triton. partner for Advantage, was now owned by Stella turnover put it “40 to 50% ahead of any of our
Before the conference, former Advantage Travel Group, also the parent of Global Travel. competitors” and that its £3 million override
chairman Steven Freudmann had criticised But Fisher added: “Advantage is, I think, by far payments “dwarfs anything else out there”.
Advantage. He said “splendid isolation” would the most interesting partner to work with. He added: “We do not have hidden goals.
put members at risk (TTG September 26). “This kind of relationship is for life. For me it’s We do not have shareholders who have ulterior
However, his views were described as “simply about introducing new products and initiatives motives and are looking for return that may not
wrong” by speakers in a debate on long-term to keep that relationship happy and fulfilled.” be in the best interests of the membership.
commercial partnerships in the industry. Advantage commercial director Julia Lo “We may have fewer outlets than our erstwhile
Gold Medal managing director Terry Fisher Bue-Said said: “We have moved on from Triton. competitors but it’s about the volume we do and
said: “I’m not sure where Steven Freudmann is We want to be the most effective distributor for how successful we are for our members.”
coming from – and haven’t done for many years.” our third-party suppliers. We want to deliver.” McEwan said independence meant “being
Freudmann’s Majestic Travel defected to Marc Bennett, Thomas Cook’s commercial rela- number one”, which rested in delegates’ hands.
Global Travel Group’s Independent Options and tions director, added: “We like the people involved
he has been appointed Triton chairman. in Advantage and the integrity of the business.”
QUOTE OF THE CONFERENCE.
Steven “Robinho” Freudmann – he thought he was
going to Chelsea and ended up at Manchester City.
Richard Carrick, chief executive, Hoseasons
SEE THE
VIDE
O!
How was it?
Hank John, Caledonian Travel
The whole thing has been incredibly inspiring and
I am so happy I came. It is the best investment I
have made in a long time.
Michael Quittenden, RTW Travel
I thought the conference was very good overall
but there was too much focus on the doom and
gloom of the current economic climate.
Sandra Murray, Sandy Travel
It has been very good, especially the opportunity
GLASS ACTS: Kuoni Travel, Barrhead Travel, Virgin Atlantic, Horncastle Executive Travel to network. I am glad we are an individual
and Superbreak scooped Advantage awards at the conference. See the video of how consortium. There is a lot going for us and as a
TTG editor Lucy Huxley surprised the recipients at ttglive.com/advantageconference single body there is greater transparency.
03.10.2008 09
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