ABTA chief: I’ll help generate cash for agents

Monday, 25 Nov, 2005 0

ABTA Convention special report: ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer has pledged to help members make more money and to improve the image of the association.

Tanzer, who took over from former chief executive Ian Reynolds in June and is attending his first ABTA Convention, laid out his blueprint for the future.

He said the association would stop carrying out projects that were not profitable, although he would not specify what those were.

“We’re looking very hard at things and we haven’t made any decision yet,” he said. “But we are here to help members make money and if we are doing things that do not make money, then we will stop them.”

Tanzer said it would help struggling agents by launching a campaign with the Office of Fair Trading next year to remind people of the benefits of booking with travel agents.

Meanwhile, the ABTA chief said it was important for the association to become more customer-friendly.

“We can improve our customer service in certain areas,” he said. “We are often seen as a defensive and regulatory body.”

Tanzer also said he wanted to reduce bureaucracy for members and encourage non-traditional travel agents to join the association.

“We need to open our doors to those companies which don’t fit the mould of being a traditional retailer and who sell travel differently. In ten years’ time, who knows what the definition of a travel agent will be?”

He said the association should also provide an educational role for members. “We need to help people better understand issues and make decisions on how best to compete, so we have an important role with our seminars and conferences.”

Report by Jeremy Skidmore

Phil Davies

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