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TIPTO chairman joins TravelMole panel
Independent tour operators and agents can benefit from closer relations with customers and partners according to TIPTO chairman Ian Mounser, the latest addition to TravelMole’s Fast Conference panel.
Mr Mounser, of Superbreak mini-holidays, told members at a recent TIPTO meeting that independents should stick together more than ever in today’s tough trading environment. But he said that independents were at an advantage because of their size.
Independent agents can benefit from developing strong ties with local business and close connections with clients, and independent operators can get closer to their agents for support and to tailor products to a specific market.
Mr Mounser is joining a panel of leading industry figures for TravelMole’s next Fast Conference, which focuses on the niche market. The audience will have a chance to participate in a debate on whether the dramatic rise in independent travel, coupled with the increasing importance of the internet as a booking channel, is leading many to believe that operators and agents must “go niche” to survive.
Other panel members are: Somak Holidays chief executive, Ash Sofat, who joins Julia Lo Bue-Said, head of commercial, Advantage Travel Centres; Laurence Hicks, head of business development, Norwegian Coastal Voyage; and Alex Bainbridge, chief executive, Travel UCD.
The audience will hear the opinions of operators and agents that have found success in niche markets (but without drawn-out presentations) and have a chance to air their views on whether specialising is a sound course for survival in an increasingly competitive environment.
The event is on Tuesday 26 October from 0900 to 1100 at 28 Portland Place in London. For more details and to register go to www.travelmole.com/fastconferences or call 020 7691 3292. The price is £99 for delegates, reduced to £59 for tour operators and agents, and £49 for students.
The Fast Conference is being sponsored by Midland’s based OVP Travel, the tour operating arm of Spanish property investment company, Ocean View Properties.
Set up in response to the shifting trend away from package holidays and towards dynamic packaging, OVP Travel is leading the way in providing privately owned, high quality accommodation in the growing Spanish tourist market, south of Malaga along the Costa del Sol.
Headed up by ex-Going Places head of operations, Nigel Harris, who has shaped the product the company sell, it is designed to be totally flexible – you can arrive any day and stay any number of nights between three and 365. Serviced by an interactive website with an online booking facility, OVP Travel’s product includes car hire, welcome grocery pack and is fully supported by their resort team. For details go to www.ovptravel.com.
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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