| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 02/04/01 |
| Author: | Page Number: 35 |
| Copyright: Other |
Services update
Avis unveils plan to revampDriving School programme
Report by JANE ARCHER
Kemp: aiming to promote enhanced training in key resorts such as Greece and the Canary Islands
AVIS is redesigning its Driving School training programme to make it more destination focused.
The company is also considering tailoring the training to meet the needs of each account and making it available to agents over the Web.
Head of UK leisure sales Julia Kemp said: “At the moment, Driving School tries to be all things to all people, but some agents will have basic knowledge about car rental and need a different package to those coming into the industry.
“We also need to include more detail about our product in each country so agents can understand and advise about the resort, for instance, where the rental locations are in relation to the hotels,” she added.
“They can also give better information about driving conditions in that country – one of the main objections to renting a car still is that people are unsure about driving abroad.”
The fresh look at training follows a reshuffle in the Avis leisure team at the start of the year. Kemp took over as head of UK leisure sales from Tom Knopek, who is now director of European leisure sales.
Former key account manager Gavin Ross replaced Kemp as sales manager retail travel. Anne-Marie Murray remains sales manager tour operators.
Former brand manager retail Alex Hill has replaced Oliver Rait as marketing manager retail and general travel. Rait has become business development manager e-commerce.
Overseas, Avis is piloting a Thelma and Louise training scheme. This involves tour operator reps having a car for a day and finding out for themselves what there is to see and do in and around their resorts.
The scheme is running in all the key leisure destinations including the Canaries, Spain and Greece, and will be rolled out to other countries if it is successful.
“I think all the car-rental companies have done a better job in educating agents in recent years but it has to be ongoing,” said Kemp.