p2-3 oct10 8/10/08 22:15 Page 2
Abta deserves credit
for an inclusive and
news
inspiring convention
IT WAS my task at this year’s Travel Convention to
garner feedback from delegates about the event for
a session called Points of View.
Aside from the last speaker, who did not go down
too well, the response was overwhelmingly positive,
which is pretty impressive when you think the
industry is going through such turmoil right now and
could be forgiven for being quite depressed.
this week
On the contrary. Even after some alarming
sessions, in which economists predicted that the
downturn would last another 16 months and pointed
out that disposable incomes were shrinking further,
the mood was decidedly upbeat.
Delegates left with a sobering understanding of
the economic situation but with some tangible and
useful advice about how to weather the storm.
Abta should be congratulated for arranging such
an insightful and relevant conference. The Travel Convention 2008
Cynics might argue the association was fortunate
■ Abta board splits over Heathrow expansion p9
that the industry is facing such massive challenges,
■Consultants propose tiered levies to replace bonding p10
so it did not have to manufacture issues to address.
■Top bosses learn the lessons of the early 1990s recession p12
But you could also argue that the current climate put
■ Control your cashflow or risk failure, warns PwC p13
even more pressure on the association to ensure
that those who gave up valuable time at work did Booking trends. homeworker Tony Hammond
not feel it was wasted. Lead-in times polarise p5 reports on his visits to three Costa
In the end, everyone in the auditorium was Economic uncertainty is prompting Cruises ships in Dover
hanging off every word. Why? Because they all savvy consumers to book early but
wanted to pick up tips to ensure their survival. others to book more at last minute Hotels.
Perhaps the biggest triumph of the event was Sandals invests $80m p30
that, for the first time, it really felt like an inclusive, Car rental. Resort operator is building an
all-encompassing travel convention, relevant for the Hertz hits 90 p14 176-suite Italian village at its
whole industry and not just certain sectors or groups. Hertz is celebrating its 90th Beaches Turks & Caicos property
It had everything, from the big-hitters, either anniversary with a range of trade
on stage or involved in video addresses and consumer promotions Air.
(including one from Prince Charles, and All ‘bust’ bets are off p32
you can’t get much bigger than that!) to City & finance. Bookmaker Paddy Power has
hordes of frontline staff. Travel shares p17 stopped taking bets on which
The Co-operative Travel brought 35 agents The big two’s shares this week took airline will be the next to fail amid
to Gran Canaria and one of its regional a battering as the stock market condemnation from the industry
managers enthused: “People need to suffered its biggest fall since 1987,
understand just how important it is but analysts said the operators Business travel.
for coalface staff to be here. Mine were enjoying a “mini-boom” Worldchoice drive p36
are going away having seen the Worldchoice is to start a
other side of the industry, with Cruise. recruitment campaign for travel
a greater understanding of the Island Cruises p22 management companies once the
business pressures and the determi- Thomson has bought out its Island merger with the TTA is completed
nation to succeed this downturn.” Cruises joint venture partner,
If achieving that degree of moti- Royal Caribbean, raising doubts SECTORS.
vation cannot be deemed a success, about the future of the brand Cruise p22
then I don’t know what can. Operators p28
Cruise. Hotels & resorts p30
Lucy Huxley Editor Costa comparisons p26 Air p32
TTG Cruisader and GoCruise Business travel p36
02 10.10.2008
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