p9 Abta opener oct10 8/10/08 22:36 Page 9
news conference report
ttglive.com
Abta 2008
October 6-8, 2008 ■ Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Spain
More than 1,000 delegates met in Spain this week. TTG four-page special, p9-13
Heathrow runway
AGENTS’ INTERESTS.
Broccoli insists
issue splits Abta
board does listen
DANIELE Broccoli, travel agents’ representative on
Abta’s board, has denied claims that the associ-
Chris Gray and Lee Hayhurst.
third runway, rather than “putting our heads in ation does not support agents’ interests enough.
THE CONSERVATIVE Party’s promise to scotch the sand” and dismissing the idea. The Britaly Travel director was responding to
plans for a third runway at Heathrow have “It is not a lack of capacity at Heathrow that is criticism from Advantage chief executive John
exposed splits in the Abta board about what damaging our economy and environment,” said McEwan, who believes Abta favours operators,
stance to take on the expansion of the airport. Greenacre. “The situation could be improved particularly since the FTO merger (TTG October 3).
In a letter to shadow transport secretary through better management of the airport and But Broccoli said he, and fellow agent
Theresa Villiers on the eve of The Travel Conven- investment in new technology.” board members Steven Freudmann and Mike
tion, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer described Tanzer told Villiers the policy was a “knee-jerk Greenacre, of Triton and Co-operative Travel re-
proposals to replace a third runway with a high- reaction” that would threaten thousands of jobs spectively, ensured that agents’ views are heard.
speed rail link from London to Manchester and and inward investment, and be environmentally “I stick up for them [agents] and the board
Leeds “illogical, ill-conceived and unworkable”. harmful, as it would not deal with congestion in listens,” said Broccoli, who claimed this year’s
But Abta board member air space in the south-east. hike in subscription fees would have been higher
Mike Greenacre labelled Backing Tanzer’s stance at had it not been for his opposition.
Tanzer’s stance as “short- the conference, FTO director- “People say ‘if I was on the board I would
sighted in the extreme”. general Andy Cooper said change the world’; if someone has something to
Greenacre said Abta the Conservatives were out raise they only have to ask me to say something
should have used the of touch with public opinion, on their behalf, but they don’t.”
convention to discuss the which was more concerned Broccoli, who represents agents with annual
Conservatives’ proposal and about the economy than turnover of less than £5 million, said the main
examine alternatives to a Runway row: Greenacre (right) opposes Tanzer the environment. concern at a board meeting following XL Leisure
Group’s collapse was the impact on agents.
SPARKLING VICTORY: C&M Recruitment’s football team crack open the
ABTA 2009.
bubbly after emerging victorious from their Travel Convention
clash with Youtravel.com. To see videos and pictures
UK could host
of the game, as well as all the parties,
fun run and business sessions,
go to ttglive.com/abta
one-day events
NEXT year’s travel convention could feature an
overseas event and one-day events in the UK.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said there
could be two or three one-day UK events for
delegates unable to make it overseas.
But asked if Abta should hold the convention
in the UK next year, Tanzer said: “It is important
to recognise that the travel industry does travel.”
There has been speculation that Liverpool may
host next year’s event. However, an overseas
destination is likely to subsidise the event more,
so could be more cost-effective for delegates.
10.10.2008 09
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