AITO Specialist Travel Agents has heralded a “fresh era” with a new young team in charge of the 130-strong organisation.
Oliver Broad, of Robert Broad Travel, has been named as the new chairman supported by Ted Wake of Kirker Holidays in the newly created supporting role of deputy chairman. New members joining the AITO Agents panel have created a younger team.
Joining the panel are Tony Byrne (Great Rail Journeys) and Peter Buckell (Global Travel Lounge). Other panel members include Gemma Antrobus (Haslemere Travel), Paul Bennett (Colchester Travel), Stephanie Jones (Anatolian Sky) and Chris Edwards (ITC Classics/Complete Caribbean).
Broad, with more than ten years’ experience in the family travel agency business, brings experience in agency sales and management but also social networking.
He has helped develop new initiatives including AITOversity Challenge, AITO Agents All Stars Incentive Scheme and AITO Holiday Inspirations Week on October 2-9.
Broad and the panel of four agents and four AITO operators, aims to ensure the organisation becomes the leading group of independent agents and the first source of expert advice for discerning travellers.
The group claims that a record level of more than 70% of AITO operators now sell through AITO agents.
Broad said: “AITO Agents is not a consortium and we don’t and won’t tell our members how to run their businesses.
“With the support of 100 niche AITO tour operators who are committed to selling through AITO Agents, we will produce the training, marketing support and unique networking opportunities they require to help them stand out in a challenging trading environment.
“There is no doubt that the consumer is becoming more sophisticated and now needs expert personal advice more than ever before.
“As clients begin to suffer from ‘internet booking fatigue’ and move away from cheap ‘sausage factory’ holidays, AITO products are a refreshing alternative and the perfect tool to ensure that AITO Specialist Agents continue to stay ahead of the market.
“No other group of travel agents has such a diverse and specialist product range to offer to their clients.”