Selling Travel Connect

Trade talk 36 / event roundup

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The Event

WHAT: Selling Travel Connect WHERE: One Great George Street, London WHEN: November 21, 2022 WHo: Hong Kong Tourism Board, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines, Okinawa, Expedia TAAP, Bonjour Québec, Quark Expeditions, Ajman, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Amazing Thailand, Travelpack, JetBlue, Kissimmee, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation

Agents and suppliers gathered for Selling Travel’s biggest event of the year - and the first of many such post-Covid events.

Agents enjoyed a drinks reception before speed-networking with suppliers that included airlines, cruises, hoteliers, tour operators and tourist boards.

An exciting prize draw rounded off the evening, with highlights including hotel stays, airline tickets and fam trip places.

Jessica Pook, Selling Travel’s Deputy Editor, said: “It was so great to see our readers, chat to them face to face and hear all about what they’ve so far been selling for 2023.

“With such a diverse range of suppliers, Selling Travel Connect is a great way to inspire agents and help them connect the dots between destinations, tour operators, hotels and airlines.”

Comments from the evening...

One of many agents who enjoyed the evening was Brian Morris, Owner of Crescent Associates. “There was a great selection of suppliers which have sparked inspiration for my discerning clients,” he said. “I was interested to learn more about JetBlue’s extensive network to the U.S. and on upselling Delta’s cabins.”

Sylvia Mason, from Ultimate Global Meetings, added: “The Caribbean is a big seller for me so it was great to speak to the CTO and hear about British Airways new London-Aruba flight from March 2023.”

Success for suppliers

Laura Sayce, Bonjour Québec, said: “It’s so good to be engaging with so many agents and spreading the word about Québec. We are excited to have our direct flight from London to Québec City returning next year (May to October).

“We will be organising FAM trips to coincide with Canada’s big trade show, Rendezvous Canada, which will be held in Québec City in May”

Dawn Page, Director, UK and Northern Europe, Hong Kong Tourism Board, said: “As Hong Kong’s travel restrictions ease, we plan to bring tour operators and Hong Kong Specialist Club members back to Hong Kong to experience the city.

“We want to reconnect with the industry and showcase new developments in Hong Kong, such as the West Kowloon Cultural District, home to M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum, and the new Peak Tram, which underwent renovations last year.”

Chris Lee, Head of Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “We are seeing that visitors are spending more money, staying longer and seeking out multicentre holidays.

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“With clients booking more complex bookings it’s more important than ever that we educate the trade on everything Thailand has to offer.

“We have a roadshow planned in May, for Manchester and Glasgow, and plan to run four FAM trips in 2023.”

Sue Bailey, Director of Sales, Dusit Hotels, said: “Thailand is a big focus for us and we are excited to reopen the Dusit Thani hotel in 2024, which has undergone a major refurbishment. It is aimed at millennial travellers and will offer experiential travel opportunities.”

Meanwhile Mary Murphy, from Ajman Tourism, said that the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year has sparked new interest in the Middle East, saying: “I think the tournament helped to put the region on the map, with visitors keen to explore beyond Dubai.

“Ajman is a great option for clients looking for the authentic Middle East.”

In it to win it

At the end of the evening, a prize draw saw a handful of lucky agents walk away with more than just their knowledge and inspiration expanded!

Top prizes went to Joe Rivelli from BCD Travel Ltd, who won flight tickets from Delta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic; Sanyula Kabisa from Travel Counsellors won a spot on a fam trip to Ajman; and Otto Gumaelius of Jon Baines Tours Ltd who won five nights in two Dusit hotels in Thailand.

In additon to this, many other agents left with £100 Amazon vouchers, NFL tickets, rum, whisky, gift hampers, goodie bags and chocolates. sellingtravelco.uk/a-successful-nightat-selling-travel-connect