Major agency chains to Wise Up! at WTM

The top five multiple travel agency groups have signed up for an educational day at World Travel Market.

MyTravel, United Co-op Travel Group, Thomas Cook, First Choice and TUI UK agents are to participate in the Wise Up! programme on the final day of the show, November 17, at ExCeL in London.

In addition to working with tourist offices, the Institute of Travel and Tourism, City and Guilds, Travel Uni, Seatrade, Sandals, Advantage and Genesys technology consultancy will be staging workshops, presentations and seminars.

The Accredited Travel Professional Scheme (ATP), due to be launched in January, is also participating to introduce the concept of Continuous Professional Development. The scheme, organised in conjunction with the ITT, ABTA and the Skills Development Agency, will recognise and encourage professionalism and expertise with membership being measured via the collection of points.

Three hundred MyTravel and Co-op agents will be travel to London on November 16 and staying close to ExCeL so they can make the most of their time the following day.

Group exhibition director Fiona Jeffery said: “What Wise Up! aims to do is to connect the right agents with the right products in a way that offers mutual benefits and commercial advantages.”

This year’s initiative follows feedback from consultant and branch managers who attended last year’s Wise Up!       

Jeffery said: “They completed detailed reports of their findings which proved really constructive and helpful. While they were impressed by the overall scale and size of what we were seeking to do, they felt there could be many improvements.

“For example, most of the major multiples have very clear views of what products and destinations their agents should focus on. The huge range of destinations featured in last year’s Wise Up! were not all necessarily appropriate to their needs.

“It was also clear that there needed to be more dialogue between national tourist boards and the multiples about what they wanted and how they wanted it to be communicated. The multiples want the training to be very clear, focused and, above all, concise.

“Agents want to be treated with respect and understanding. The agents who attend Wise Up! have already made a huge effort to participate and have shown a real dedication to skills and learning.

“They come from all kinds of backgrounds – homeworkers, independents as well as staff from the larger chains and consortia.

“Students attend too, although these are limited in order that other agents are given as much time and help as they need during the day. But we have to recognise that these are the future of our industry.”

Report by Phil Davies