Representation company AMG is considering travel agent roadshows for the first time as part of an awareness drive – and wants trade feedback.
The company is taking the unusual step of looking at ways to raise awarenesss of its client portfolio of hotels and destinations collectively.
Traditionally, representation companies push sales and marketing messages on behalf of each hotel, tourist board or tour operator client separately, according to group managing director Ian Scott.
But Scott – formerly UK & Ireland director for Dubai Tourism and appointed to the new role last year – believes running events such as roadshows under the AMG banner for all its clients as well as compiling an online list of all its clients’ fam trips for agents to register on could be a “win win” for agents and clients.
AMG represents clients including Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Trinidad & Tobago, Dubai Parks & Resorts, and hotels across the Caribbean, Africa, north and central America, and 70% of its business is with agents.
In his first interview since taking the role, he said: “We talk to a lot of agents on a daily basis about one client at a time; and we will still do that.
“But we have never said, ‘can I talk to you about the rest of my portfolio?’. If I was an agent and I could do lots of business in one place, I’d want it.”
He added: “I don’t think agents really understand what a representation agency is. We wear our client’s hat when we go to agents. We want to find out what agents want: is it marketing, fact sheets, collateral, training?
“I would not rule out roadshows in the future. There is nothing to stop us doing AMG training or open days where we present all our clients in one place.”