Magellan Travel Group’s strategy of focusing on niche areas of high-end luxury and corporate sales helped the group to deliver solid results over the past financial year despite challenging marketing conditions.
Managing director Andrew Macfarlane announced at Magellan’s 2017 annual conference held in Perth’s Crown Towers that the group achieved total transaction value (TTV) of $925 million for the FY17 which was an increase of $42 million on the FY16 result of $883 million.
Profit for the group dipped by $1.3 million from the previous period to $8.7 million with Macfarlane saying that foreseen increases in investments around resourcing meant that costs had risen.
In a signal of growth, the group added 10 new travel agency members to bring the total to 130 overall with Macfarlane optimistic that the group would eclipse the $1 billion TTV mark for FY18.
The conference saw the announcement of an agreement with US-based Signature Travel Network providing exclusive benefits and access for Magellan members to offer clients at more than 1,000 luxury hotels, resorts, spas and lodges across the globe.
Macfarlane sees this new agreement as a key recruitment driver to entice new members into the Magellan Group declaring “what this is about is having an exclusive competitive advantage that the next agent down the road doesn’t have. For our members to say that not only will the rates be competitive, but you will get more added benefits exclusively through us, well that’s a real edge.”
A highlight at this year’s conference was a keynote speech delivered by former deputy Prime Minister Kim Beazley. His years serving as Australian ambassador to the United States and his take on the current Donald Trump administration captivated the audience.
Sponsors generously provided the record 300 attendees with ample opportunities to network and dine each day with the conference building to a lavish gala dinner and awards event.
Seven Magellan group members won top prizes including business class flights and an expenses paid trip around Ireland next year.
The 2018 conference and 10th anniversary for Magellan will take place in Sydney at the Park Hyatt hotel in October.
