ITT benefits take aim at the new generation

Institute of travel and tourism

ITT benefits take aim at the new generation

Training courses to have wider appeal

The Institute of Travel and Tourism is confident of attracting a new generation of members following its autumn launch of a range of membership benefits and training courses.

Chairwoman Jackie Kernaghan said: “The people who belong to the ITT feel comfortable. What we haven’t done is appeal to the new generation.”

She acknowledged that benefits for prospective members, such as information and networking, have appeared too vague. This is the reason for the package of retail discounts and Information Technology and legal helplines launched this month.

“These are much more tangible benefits, I think, with a wider appeal,” said Kernaghan. “A lot of people come when they are established. We would like to get people early on.”

In addition, the institute is putting together a series of training courses pitched at every level, from induction to advanced management. “I do not think there were enough benefits for being a member,” said Kernaghan.

“The benefits were mainly networking and access to information. The networking was aimed at a specific level of general management – it wasn’t very senior and it certainly wasn’t something that was going to attract the next generation.”

Kernaghan is also establishing best practice exercises. “We believe there is a huge amount of knowledge that is not shared.

“We have always been a library of information, but I do not believe people know that. We intend to create a virtual library.”

The library will contain speeches, documents and other information on good practice in the sector.

There will also be focus groups for specialisms such as marketing, human resources and call-centre management to discuss best practice.

The ITT will also be engaged at a political level. This will be as much about explaining new laws to members as lobbying on their behalf.

“It means being able to say ‘This is what this change will mean to you’,” she said.

Kernaghan accepted that many members have felt that being a member of the ITT had made little difference.

Complaints surfaced at the Las Vegas conference last June, where Kernaghan promised changes. But she also defended the record of the institute. “The events have been very good. The conference is a great opportunity; way beyond networking.

“The great thing about the institute is that it is not just about one sector, be it tour operators or retailers, but instead it covers the range of airlines, hotels, suppliers and insurance people.”

Kernaghan: believes the new benefits are more tangible

Listen and learn: new ITT training courses will be pitched at every level of management