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Exclusive: ‘Agents fighting back’ is TTI theme
Preliminary details of the TTI Spring Conference, which tackles the threat faced by travel agents from direct sell, have been exclusively revealed to TravelMole. It is hoped the event would give agents a chance to fight their corner against a barrage of news stories and seminars that have predicted their demise. Agents face a threat from online travel companies, tour operators selling direct and no-frills airlines among others, but event co-ordinator, Paul Richer says they are fighting back by adopting new technology and business models. The conference opens with a speech from ABTA chief executive, Ian Reynolds on how agents are adjusting to increased competition and how they are using technology. Later on in the day, Page and Moy sales and marketing director, Patrick Cherry, talks about self-packaging and what lessons can be learnt by agents wanting to move into self-packaging. Other confirmed speakers are Global Travel Group director of information technology, Paul Clayton, Travel Counsellors managing director, David Speakman, Airborn Limited chief executive, Jeff Petar and BTI UK managing director, Mike Platt. More speakers will be confirmed in the coming weeks. BT is sponsoring the event, and providing its own speaker, account director, Peter Shortt. The event is at its usual venue, the Institute of Electrical Engineers in London on 20 April. The programme starts at 9.30 and finishes at 5pm. It is free for TTI members, who can invite two guests for free and additional guests for £58.75. Members of certain organisations like ABTA, CIMTIG and AITO pay £88.13 and everyone else pays £229.13. For more details email the event co-ordinator, Paul Richer or go to the TTI website. Report by Ginny McGrath
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