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knowledge
Abta 2008 review
“It was great to
socialise with people
from other parts of
the industry I don’t
normally deal with”
THE FUTURE.
A future convention, according to Ben,
should also include a session on how to gain
and retain new customers, while Fallon Scott
of The Co-operative Travel would like to have
heard more predictions on future products
and trends. Similarly, Karen Allen thinks a
session on how to market your agency would
be beneficial, and both Sandy Ogier from The
Co-op and Andrea feel this year’s convention
was missing a masterclass on business
start-ups and developing small businesses.
Keith also points out that the more
compact timetable made the second day
“very intense”. “There were events that
clashed, so if you were interested in both
you could only go to one,” he says.
Yet despite the inevitable niggles, all of
our Roving Readers said they would highly
recommend the convention to colleagues.
As Karen Eason from Sunshine Travel adds:
TTG’s Roving Readers pose in the Gran Canaria sunshine “The opportunities to create partnerships in
business are high, the contacts made are
Travel and Tracey Selmes from Yorks/First things that wound up the Roving Readers. invaluable and the speakers highlight issues
Choice, for example, were delighted to meet Karen Allen from Aspen Travel, for exam- that affect every attendee, whether supplier
their bosses, John Hays and Dermot Blastland, ple, found the economists’ take on industry or agent. The fact that the sun shone and
and have face-to-face conversations with events a little doom-laden, while Chris was the destination was beautiful was an added
Abta representatives they would normally disappointed with BA chairman Martin bonus. The low point was collecting my
only speak to over the phone. Broughton’s talk on “Innovation – The Key suitcase at the airport on my way home.”
And even though the event was a day To Success”, a sentiment shared by several
shorter than in previous years, there was still Roving Readers. In particular, Broughton’s ■ Read our Roving Readers’ blogs at
plenty of time set aside to let hair down and reluctance to support a levy on airline ttglive.com/abta/rovingreaders
party. Our Roving Readers were particularly passengers to provide financial protection
impressed with the Mega Fiesta, which – arguing that strong companies such as
Sponsors
offered a great venue to make valuable BA should not be expected to support the
contacts while enjoying the fireworks, weak – made Gemma Williams from TTG’s Roving Readers were hosted by
flowing wine and dancing. Worldchoice Travel “very angry”.
Keith says catching up with other agents Andrea Wren from Wren Elite Travel
was the main highlight of the convention for described his comments as contradictory.
him. “The bit I enjoyed the most was social- “[He said] looking after the customer was key
ising with people from different parts of the to long-term success…yet he did not feel an
industry and finding out about areas that I extra £1-2 for consumer protection should
don’t normally deal with,” he explains. be enforced on BA flights,” she points out.
“I got very little ‘innovation’ from him,”
admits Chris. Instead, he says he would have
IRRITATIONS. benefited more from a session relating to
the microbusiness and what makes a great
Despite all the positives, there were a few travel agent.
24.10.2008 47
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