Delegates went to Queensland expecting much but, in the end, learned little which will help them with their businesses.
In his summing-up speech, ABTA chief executive Ian Reynolds said we had heard about many ways in which our industry is changing.
In fact, much of the debate at the conference sessions was on subjects that we have been hearing about for the past 10 years, such as the conflict between agents and operators.
Of course, it is right that agents get to air their views – after all it is their conference.
But there was far too much navel gazing and not enough focus on how the industry can deal with the threats from outside.
A presentation from someone outside the industry who has successfully set up an e-commerce business would have been very useful.
And how about someone from Deckchair.com or Microsoft to stir up a debate by claiming they are going to steal agents’ business?
A presentation on the effect of digital television or perhaps a speaker from the US who has already had to deal with these new technologies would also have been of interest.
ABTA could also have invited other retailers. Wouldn’t it have been fascinating to hear how the marketing director of Tesco, Safeway or Sainsbury was coping and what pressures they face?
Everyone is talking about customer focus. So why wasn’t there more on what the customer wants?
Someone with a video camera could have gone to resorts and talked to holidaymakers about what they liked and disliked about their trip. That would have made for an intriguing presentation.
We needed more sparkle and more life. Airtours Holidays managing director Richard Carrick is a brilliant presenter and just giving him a couple of minutes as part of a debate is a waste.
The conference should have had more involvement from the trade and consumer press. Moderator Alastair Stewart does an excellent job for his reputed £12,000 fee and is very popular. But by his own admission, he is not an expert on the industry and I think there is room to allow delegates the chance to grill key people on the issues of the day.
The conference sessions need a complete rethink and a radical new format if ABTA 2000 in Kos is to be an important event.
ABTA must also question the wisdom of coming to Queensland in the rainy season. Of course it is cheaper, but it lashed with rain every day and people couldn’t wait to get away from Cairns.
On my only previous visit to Queensland, I went scuba diving on a beautiful sunny day. The coral and fish were amazing and I was talking about it for ages afterwards. If I’d been a travel agent, I’d have been selling it with a passion.
I went diving once on this trip before the conference started and it was like submerging in the Solent.
The weather was filthy and visibility underwater was poor. I can’t imagine agents who had a similar experience will be willing to sell the destination when they get back to the UK. And I wonder what kind of return the Australian Tourist Commission will get for its £590,000 investment in the Convention.
It’s a great shame because Tourism Queensland was superb in its organisation and the facilities were second to none. One other company which deserves a mention is JMC, which laid on the two sporting events, the football and cricket matches.
Both were excellent and very popular. And there’s no-one quite like commentator Stuart Hall to keep the party going.