Tipto aims to attract 2,000 agents to its events in 27th year

Tipto chairman Vishal Patel has urged the trade to attend upcoming roadshows as the marketing body bids to reach a record number of independent agents in its 27th year.

Patel, who hopes to attract more than 2,000 agents, said the roadshows not only provided “golden nuggets” of product information but also “opened doors” to better relationships with suppliers. Tipto plans to host 30 face2face Roadshows and four SuperShows in the 12 months from September 1. It currently has a full roster of 25 suppliers, including new member SPL Villas. 

Patel, director of tour operator Travelpack, conceded more events were vying for agents’ attention but said: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our roadshows and agent satisfaction is very high. Even if agents have attended in the past, it’s worth coming back to see what new products have been launched. There are little golden nuggets you can learn from suppliers face to face.”

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He added: “We find bookings come as a result of Tipto roadshows.  

“[The events] definitely pay off and open doors to suppliers agents may not have worked with before.”

More than 1,900 agents attended Tipto’s 29 roadshows, three SuperShows and three training days in the 12 months to August – an average of 54 agents per event. The figure is slightly down on the prior year, to August 2024, when 1,979 agents attended, but Tipto held one more event that year.

Patel urged agents to return and bring new colleagues as figures showed almost half (45%) of attendees in this past year were Tipto first-timers, down from 55% the year before.

On reaching more than 2,000 travel agents, Patel said: “It is a realistic number and a key target; there are probably many agents we have yet to see face to face. We understand there are lots of events, but we see it as the start of a journey for both the agent and supplier.”

In total, Tipto has held 40 events in its current 26th year, including its VIP days and cruise ship visits.

Patel also revealed Tipto’s plans for a supplier contact directory on its website to provide a contact for agents to call for training or sales assistance.

And he said the organisation was exploring the use of more social media platforms, such as TikTok, to attract a younger audience of independent agents.