Jet2holidays is to stage its ninth annual VIP conference for independent travel agents in Turkey in a vote of confidence in the country following February’s devastating earthquakes.
Up to 350 delegates and top performing agents are due to attend the event on November 27-30.
The operator’s last annual VIP conference to take place in Turkey was in 2018.
The company said it had chosen to return as a demonstration of its commitment to the country, and so that independent agents can see what it has to offer customers.
Delegates will be flown out on two chartered flights, with the UK departure airports to be announced in due course.
The move comes 24 hours after Jet2holidays demonstrated its commitment to building relationships with independent agents and homeworkers by promoting Alan Cross to the newly created position of director of travel agent relationships.
It is also expanding its trade team to 20 (pictured). They will be hosting agency partners in Turkey, alongside senior members of the Jet2holidays management team including chief executive Steve Heapy.
Cross said: “This will be the first time that the Jet2holidays annual VIP conference for independent travel agents has returned to a specific destination, but what better place to return to than stunning Turkey.
“This is a destination that truly does have something for everyone, and we will be showcasing that to our best performing agency partners in November.
“Although the tragic events did temporarily impact demand, there is no doubt that holidaymakers are looking to get to Turkey and we will do everything we can to help stimulate that demand and help the local economy.”
Heapy said: “We are very pleased to be returning to Turkey for our annual VIP conference. As well as enjoying a productive week discussing our partnership approach to working with independent travel agents and homeworkers, we will be spending time showing them the many delights that Turkey has to offer.
“We are the UK’s leading tour operator to Turkey and have a bigger programme on sale than ever to the country, so we know this year’s annual VIP conference will be great way of further boosting demand to this wonderful destination.”
Cross added: “At the start of the year, we pledged to continue putting independent travel agents and homeworkers right at the heart of our business and in that spirit, we are promising that this will be our biggest and best conference ever.
“Our Partners2Success strategy is stronger and more successful than ever before, and we will be using our time together in Turkey to update on how we will strengthen our partnerships even further.”
The operator is the latest travel organisation to opt for Turkey to stage its conference. Antalya, in southern Turkey, is due to host the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) conference in early May. Airline association Iata will hold its annual general meeting (AGM) in Istanbul at the start of June. Abta will host its Travel Convention in Bodrum in October.