I WAS surprised at the negative tone set by Travel Weekly regarding the ABTAConvention inCairns.
It’s unfortunate that we seem once again to have lived up to our stereotype as ‘whingeing Poms’ – as if we’ve never seen rain before!
There is no doubt that the debates could – and should – have been better structured. We needed a more varied mix of panelists, who should have been given more time to construct their arguments.
We needed to broaden the scope of debating to include key issues like the rise of consumerism and utilisinge-commerce.
But let’s be positive. What other trade forum exists for front-line managers to put unavoidable questions directly to managing directors?
What is wrong with addressing questions affecting the trade today, balanced against the strategic issues of tomorrow?
The 1,700-strong UKdelegates was a high-quality audience of opinion makers and formers, allowing companies like Airtours to organise months worth of key contact meetings into four days.
And spare a thought for our Australian hosts.
They gave us superb role models, in some of the most highly trained,service-orientated hoteliers, restauranteurs and attraction providers in the world.
There was room for improvement.
But as with any Convention, success is down to what individual delegations choose to make of it.
Ed Sims
Sales, marketing anddevelopment director
Airtours Holidays Ltd
Lancashire