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News Printable version
13 October, 2008 Adjust font size: Increase Font Size Decrease Font Size
 
ABTA Travel Convention – how was it for you?
Comments: 1


TravelMole would like your feedback on the ABTA Travel Convention, held last week in Gran Canaria.



If you attended, what did you think of the business sessions and what would you have changed?



Could there have been more debate about topical industry issues or were you satisfied with the content?



Would you have liked to have heard more about ABTA’s plans following its merger with the FTO and what about the fall-out from last month’s collapse of XL Leisure Group â€" the biggest tour operator failure since ILG more than a decade ago?



How about the networking opportunities, sporting and social activities â€" did the organisers get the mix right?



What about the venue itself â€" did it live up to expectations and where should the convention be held in 2009? Do you think ABTA’s idea of holding a series of UK events in addition to the main overseas convention next year is workable?



And if you did not attend, tell us why not and what would persuade you along in 2009?

Please either respond by commenting below or email your thoughts and opinions on the ABTA Travel Convention to editor@travelmole.com



 

 



 

 



 
 
 
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Categories: Travel Agent, Sustainable Travel, Cruise, Hotel & Resort, Tour Operator, Airline, Travel Technology, Destination

 
USER COMMENTS
 
Richard English
OwnerREtraining

13 October 2008, 18:05:25 GMT

It's no longer the value it once was
For the first time for around a decade I didn't attend ABTA (OK, I know it's called something else now - but it's still the ABTA Convention to me and most of the trade I'll warrant). There were several reasons but probably the main one is that it just didn't appeal sufficiently and was too expensive.

When I became an ABTA TIP the £1000 pa fee was nearly offset by the convention discount I received for my two attendees, plus, the several functions to which TIP's were invited were also added value.

In 2008, although the TIP membership fee had increased to £1,100 (more than the fee for the smaller travel agents, TIP benefits had reduced significantly (and were less than the benefits to travel agents).

Although the destination should not be the only criterion, few will surely dispute that a new and exotic destination is a definite plus. Wonderful though the Canaries are, Grand Canaria was the destination for ITT in 2007 and Tenerife was the destination for ABTA the same year.

For these reasons I decided this year to absent myself from ABTA 2008 and to allow my TIP membership to lapse.

Maybe 2009 will be different - a more exciting destination might be a good start.

 
 
 
 
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