Issues & Trends – September 2013
Westbury and Manwaring together at ITG conference presentation
on AFTA accreditation scheme plans
INDEPENDENT Travel Group (ITG) managing director Tom Manwaring and AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury will have another opportunity to discuss agency accreditation issues at the ITG Business Forum in Hong Kong, November 21-24.
The agency group has announced that Westbury will present to the forum on the arrangements being developed under the travel industry transition plan (TITP).
Manwaring has stoked controversy about the ATAS accreditation scheme that AFTA is developing as part of the transition plan with outspoken criticism of Jetset Travelworld’s plans for its own customer charter and customer protection policy. He claimed it would undermine the credibility of ATAS – a claim that was rejected by both Westbury and JTG chief exeutive Rob Gurney.
Manwaring and Westbury subsequently had a cordial meeting at which Manwaring stressed his support for ATAS.
However the two remain at odds over the issue of insurance against agency collapse. Manwaring would like to see AFTA negotiate an optional insurance deal available to all AFTA members as a benefit of membership but Westbury says this is a matter for individual agents or groups of agents. (travelBulletin, August).
In addition to talking about the TITP and the move towards the new accreditation scheme, Westbury will also provide the con-ference with an update on consumer initiatives to promote the use of an AFTA accredited travel agent.
“Time will be set aside for questions from delegates following the presentation,” ITG has announced.
ITG parent, Express Ticketing, has also announced that Travel Corporation has become a major event sponsor and will be hosting the awards dinner at the 360 degree view SKY100 restaurant.
Sabre Pacific will sponsor a talk by social media marketing expert, Kim McKay, who will present on the relevance of social media in the travel industry with practical implementation strategies for travel agents.
Qantas is sponsoring finance journalist Michael Pascoe who will deliver the “Power Up” keynote address and moderate a “Talk Business” discussion. Additional major air sponsors are Cathay Pacific and Virgin Atlantic.
