Themed “The Greatest Brand” the gathering highlighted the rapid growth of luxury demand and Travel Associates’ uncompromising approach to servicing clients. The event welcomed about 100 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand, including 65 Travel Associates business leaders alongside supplier partners and the brand’s senior management team.
Some delegates were treated to a lavish welcome dinner at famed Japanese restaurant KOMA in the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, which also included a special sake tasting with famed Master Sake Sommelier, Joshua Kalinan. Networking activities also included a cocktail event at the Smoke and Mirrors venue atop Singapore’s National Gallery.
Conference sessions focused on growth and future thinking, and included an inspirational brand update from Flight Centre Travel Group Luxury Leisure Global MD, Danielle Galloway, as well as presentations from Rachel Kingswell, GM of Travel Associates Australia and NZ, International Travel Luxury Market Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore and Virtuoso Senior Vice President Michael Londregan. The delegates were given an update on the group’s technology roadmap courtesy of Wendie Lee, FCTG Global Product Manager (Technology) for Luxury Brands, while an insight into the current hospitality workforce landscape was provided by Richard Todd, Hilton’s Senior Director for Hunman Resources and Head of Recruitment for APAC.
A final day of activities saw delegates enjoy a range of experiences courtesy of ground operator Discova, including sidecar rides through the Singapore streets, cooking and cocktail making courses and an morning of creativity at Bynd Artisan.
The conference segued into International Luxury Travel Market Asia Pacific, with all 65 Travel Associates Business Leaders hosted by the event – the largest brand group in attendance at the luxury trade showcase. Travel Associates is celebrating its 25th year in business, and is the largest boutique travel agency in Australia and NZ. The brand has seen its best year ever across all performance metrics including record turnover, sales growth, booking size and staff retention.
