Lets make Lisbon even more fruitful

Lets make Lisbon even more fruitful

I WILL probably be one of 1,700 delegates to tell you that the ABTA convention business sessions were the best so far.

Last year ABTA listened to its delegates’ criticism, invited them to talk and remoulded the content accordingly. It should be congratulated.

But let’s take the listening process one stage further for Lisbon. Put the convention on sale now. Whack prices up 10%. Offer an early-booking discount, expiring at Christmas. Put Urbanweb’s Steve Endacott or Airtours’ Seamus Conlon in charge of yield control, to ensure all post-Christmas bookings pay more. But when you’ve arrived at an agreed level of registrations avoid piling on more capacity. That way, ABTA, you can say you learn from your mistakes as well.

Ed Sims

Managing directorVirgin Travelstore

London