Hays Travel is to hold its first retail managers overseas conference for three years in November.
The group has chartered three aircraft from Jet2 out of Newcastle, Manchester and Stansted to take more than 600 shop managers to the event at Lujo Hotel in Bodrum, Turkey, from November 8-12.
The conference will give shop staff their first chance to hear about the retailer’s peak season sales campaign plans for January 2023 as well as its traditional fancy dress night, competitions and giveaways.
It will also include a refreshed format for managers to meet suppliers. Instead of group appointments at allocated times with suppliers, the conference will offer a more relaxed exhibition-style event for agents to walk round and meet operators one-to-one.
Chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston said: “We are really excited about the conference. Staff will get first sight of the January campaign.”
He added: “It’s going to be nice to get back to together. We have a lot of surprises lined up.”
Sponsors for the conference include Jet2holidays and P&O Cruises.
The late John Hays pictured in 2019 greeting Hays Travel staff at Newcastle Airport on their way to the last retail overseas conference.
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