12 May 2009

Uniglobe aims for more global agent interaction

Business travel agency network Uniglobe is to develop global networking for member agents.

A conference dedicated to the subject it to be held this month in Amsterdam attended by agents from almost 40 countries.

"The aim is to look at how to introduce more business to agents, as well as making it even easier and quicker to access global fares or local information," said organisation president Derek Hearl-Maunder.

The issue was one of the topics discussed at a recent senior managers’ meeting in London attended by more than 30 agents.

A special business speed dating session introduced for the first time to facilitate interaction among agents, according to Hearl-Maunder.

He said: "It highlighted a number of issues including current concerns like swine flu and, from a business development viewpoint, the need to maximise Uniglobe’s global networking facility, which introduces new business opportunities from around the world to Uniglobe members."

UK members include leading independent TMCs such Premier Travel/Travel Centre Norwich, Top Flight, CT Business Travel and Good Travel of Hull, which holds the longest IATA membership in the UK.

Globally, the organisation has more than 750 agencies in countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East with an annual system-wide sales volume of C$2.6 billion.

by Phil Davies