TTG journeyed to Cadiz in the Andalusia region of south-west Spain at the weekend (17-20 May) to hear the latest from the Advantage Travel Partnership, attend workshops on topics ranging from chatbots and cybersecurity to CSR and branding, and catch up with a few agents along the way too.
Key announcements from the consortium’s Vivolution conference including Advantage introducing cruise and flight repackaging through its in-house tour operator Advantage Holidays and plans to launch "regional communities" to improve communication with members.
TTG spoke to Advantage’s group commercial and membership director Paula Lacey ahead of the conference to get a deeper insight into how the consortium’s regional communities initiative would bring tangible benefits to members and bring a more regional focus.
Speakers touched on a range of important issues and trends facing travel including sustainability and attitude of next generation travellers, the importance of building trust among consumers and why independent agents are well-placed to do so, and why the internet has revolutionalised how businesses have to look at branding.
There was also an address by keynote speaker, ex Marine and star of SAS: Who Dares Wins Ant Middleton, who revealed he was hoping to get onboard Virgin Galactic in the future.
Latterly, Advantage confirmed its 2020 conference would be held in Madeira and the brand new 5* Savoy Palace Hotel over 15-18 May next year.
Other announcements included a new partnership with Miss Jones PA to give the consortium’s TMC members access to the firm’s network of suppliers and buyers.