This year Abta’s Travel Convention is taking place in Malta, with speakers including BA chief Willie Walsh and former London mayor Ken Livingstone.
Bookmark this page for news from the two-day event, plus videos, photos, and stories from our 10 ‘agent reporters’ – frontline agents who’ll be giving us their perspective on speeches, seminars and social events.
News
Agents and operators
- Monarch would add capacity – but at a price
Don’t expect more cheap seats, says Mantegazza - Banks’ wariness could drive further consolidation
Perceived risk presents major challenge to industry - Agents profiting by move to bespoke travel
Hays on the potential of ‘the very personal touch’ - Booking stats ‘crucial’ in tough economic times
GfK boss calls for cohesive use of data - Indie operators face capacity squeeze by Cook-Co-op
Some firms may have to cut back as much as 25% - More trade consolidation predicted
Industry in ‘a constant state of flux’ - Tanzer calls on trade to change face of industry
Agents have a chance to ‘make it new’ - Over half of holidaymakers use agents or operators
Abta unveils results of Consumer Trends survey - Health and safety onus ‘should be on suppliers’
Abta continues drive for Europe-wide standards - Domestic leaders push UK breaks to aid economy
Private businesses can help as tourism bodies face cuts
Tourism
- Malta hails investment in tourism
Decision to avoid funding cuts ‘is paying off’ - VisitBritain bullish despite 34% cut
Marketing body still confident of hitting targets
Protection
- Flight-plus ‘could put agents at risk’
Liability fears over protection reform model - Industry regulation ‘doomed to fail’
Fixing protection is beyond CAA’s power, says Monarch chairman - Atol shambles ‘shames’ the trade
Evans calls for more involvment from airlines - Credit card protection is adequate – Pirie
Plastic is ‘more reliable than Atol’ - CAA to introduce Atol certificates
Body bids to ‘end confusion’ over protection - Industry hopes for Atol announcement in November
Aviation minister yet to decide on third party and click-through sales
Aviation
- ‘Alliances will drive airline consolidation’
Regulatory regime makes mergers unlikely, says BA’s Crawley - Stranded travellers should ‘use initiative’
BA sales chief questions reliance on airlines and government - BA applauds value of trade bookings
Agents thanked for support during ash crisis and strikes - Walsh: block on Heathrow expansion is ‘regrettable’
Decision will not affect global emissions, says BA boss - BA reports strong uptake for seat-choice fee
‘We are absolutely legitimate in charging for it’
Cruise
- Agents criticise Carnival UK’s e-ticketing switch
Top customers ‘deserve proper presentation’ - ACE convention to highlight year-round appeal
Spring event will have ‘cruise365’ theme - Fred Olsen ‘must boost yield by 8% next year’
Profitability and new tonnage dependent on revenue uplift - Cruise passenger numbers to set new record
PSA predicts 8% rise in 2011
Hotels
- Butlins to open third hotel in Bognor Regis
Reinvesting profits is key, says Bourne Leisure
Marketing and technology
- Online reputation ‘needs dedicated staff’
Low Cost has full-time social media monitors, reveals Evans - Mobile is ‘antidote’ to commoditisation
Channel will help push ‘more interesting product’ says BA marketing chief - Don’t jump the gun on smartphones, says analyst
…and don’t get hung up on the iPhone
Masterclass sessions
- Brand ‘should pervade your whole business’
Don’t leave it to the marketing department, says expert - Even small firms should be crisis-ready, says Longman
Tui emergency plan ‘broadened’ after ash crisis
Video
In pictures
A selection of images from the Travel Convention 2010 gallery on travelhub. All photos by Steve Dunlop.
Agent Reporters
![Travel Weekly Agent Reporters](http://node3.travelweekly.co.uk/images/cmstw/original/easid-13138.jpg)
![]() Pat Waterton, Langley Travel | ![]() Conor Magee, Pinnacle Travel |
![]() Phil Hindle, Thyme Travel | ![]() Sandy Ogier, Travelmaker Guernsey |
![]() Ian Warren, Go Cruise | ![]() Sara Mason-Parker, Spires Travel |
![]() Neil Basnett, Tara Travel | ![]() Bryony Horden, Tickets Anywhere |
Agent Reporters are sponsored by Belleair Holidays, Air Malta, Malta Tourism Authority and Abta
Travel Convention preview stories
- Abta unveils new charity brand
- Malta hopes to change perceptions at Abta convention
- Abta convention programme ‘will appeal to all levels’
- Abta convention: Bill Turnbull to host, Ken Livingstone to give keynote
- Marketing ace Josh Spear to speak at Abta convention
- Abta revamps football tournament at Convention
What’s on: main stage business sessions
Tuesday, October 19
10.00 Welcome by moderator Bill Turnbull
10.05-10.20 Time For Change – Mark Tanzer, Abta chief executive
10.20-11.00 Driving Change – Willie Walsh, British Airways chief executive
11.00-11.35 20/20 Vision – Douglas McWilliams, Centre for Economics and Business Research, chief executive
12.30-13.05 Do Different! Turnbull interviews Kane Pirie, Travel Republic managing director, and Clive Jacobs, TWgroup chairman
13.05-13.25 Tracking the Political Landscape – Lord Norman Fowler
Wednesday, October 20
10.10-10.50 Born digital – Josh Spear, Undercurrent founding partner
15.05-15.35 Corporate Karma – Leo Johnson, PricewaterhouseCoopers partner
15.35-16.05 Driving Change – Ken Livingstone, ex-mayor of London
16.35-17.10 Loose Talk – panel debate led by Chris Photi, White Hart Associates senior partner
17.10-17.20 Closing Remarks – John McEwan, Abta chairman