Travel agents are being urged to cast their votes for the ABTA board of directors member to represent retail stores with turnover of less than £20 million.
Nominees are Daniele Broccoli, Sandy Murray and Doreen McKenzie – read their election statements below. Agents have until April 15 to vote.
Daniele Broccoli
Managing Director, Britaly Travel Ltd
Two years have passed since I wrote to invite you, my fellow travel agents, to trust me to represent you.
With only your interest at heart in my two years on the ABTA Board I have attended every meeting to ensure your voice and views were heard.
Today I still work on the counter daily and fill in my own dreaded bond and renewals forms like most of us. With 25 years experience of running Britaly Travel the wool is never pulled over my eyes enabling me to cope with the many different views expressed during board meetings.
I have gained respect from fellow board members and they know when I talk, I talk for all 1500 travel agencies, not just my own personal views. As promised I am always contactable for a chat or to help, which I have done many times.
In these hard times I want to ensure that every new decision ABTA makes will help us to have a better future. At present I am helping on a project with ABTA/ATOL that could revolutionise the way we work and help us smaller agencies. My agency experience is vital for this project.
I ask again for your vote, so ABTA can get it right for us.
Sandy Murray
Sole Proprietor, Sandy Travel
I have hands on experience working in my travel agency, which I have had for just over 16 years. Excellent customer service is my number one priority and liaising with customers daily is an important part of that as is the repeat business we get.
I can really appreciate the problems that independent agencies face, and without being sexist it is time there was a female on the board – after all, there are more women in travel than men!
Those that know me know I am passionate about our industry and I think ABTA should be stronger and more of a force to be reckoned with.
With stronger Consortia, ABTA needs to lead by example working in partnership with those Consortia that have similar ideas thus working together making the industry even stronger.
I organise the Yorkshire ABTA Ball, now in its 13th year, raising over £60,000 for charities. I am chairman of the Yorkshire & North Midlands region and try to network with other Agents regularly. I have been in the industry 33 years now so think I have got the hang of it!
My hobbies are animal conservation, Feng Shui, alternative therapies and travelling abroad.
Doreen McKenzie
Proprietor, Knock Travel
ABTA is here to police and protect us. The board needs to be balanced to ensure all levels of membership are represented and respected.
My experience on many committees and the fact that I am spokesperson for ABTA in Northern Ireland means I understand, listen and empathize with the challenges that face us all.
My role on the board, as your voice, is to ensure we find solutions for the small independent business owner that often gets lost in the bigger picture.
I am hands-on in my business and I take a common sense approach to the challenges that affect us all. I am passionate about my customers, my staff and strive to achieve the professional recognition we deserve.
Over the years we have had to confront difficulties and adapt to survive. All I have heard is the ‘demise of the travel agent’ but to my pride we are still here. We are delivering great customer care and evolving as we go along.
We still remain a vital part of the travel industry not just for Customers but for Suppliers as well!
We might be small businesses but together we can make a big impact.
Please vote for me.
