Global conference gains ‘stubble and deep voice’

TravelMole MD Graham McKenzie gives his take on the Global Travel Group after attending this year’s conference in Dubai.

"Last year after the Global Travel conference in Cheshire I spoke about the overwhelming positive nature of the proceedings to the point where the only thing that could dampen it down would have been a lecture on the virtues of the EC package travel directive with Megadeath playing in the background.

This year’s conference, whilst still very progressive, seemed so much more grown up. The fairways of Carden Park are a long way from the water hazards of Dubai creek but in many respects the change of location from domestic charm to international jumbo destination was in itself a sign that things, even in twelve short months, have changed.

This year’s conference had stubble and a deeper voice. This year’s conference word was ‘maturity’.

The Global travel group seems now very well bedded and wedded to the Dubai based Dnata corporation that appears to have a finger in almost every travel pie going especially if that pie is made to a UK recipe.

In terms of both vertical and horizontal integration you have to admire what they have done and how they have gone about it.

For Global agents it means that they will undoubtedly benefit from even better buying power which in turn can be used in making attractive travel plans for clients and better bottom lines for themselves.

Conference opens in Dubai

They will benefit from a ‘mature’ look at the business and realise that the key to the success of the group is a long term relationship based not just on pricing but on the relationship itself.

All marriages go through good and bad times and it is how in business you handle the bad times as well as the good that will lead to longevity. That last sentence was in fact my take on how Global managing director Andy Stark concluded his, now traditional, statistical based opening salvo. At least I think that was what he was saying because at that stage the previous nights desert activities were still having an effect.  In his 20 minutes he gave the ‘normal’ readings of improvements in almost all areas of the world but of course not the terror hot spots of North Africa and the Middle East.

Things were not looking to rosy for Turkey either, but interestingly enough other short haul destinations were on the rise as were the other ‘safe’ long haul locations of the USA, Far East and Caribbean. The other significant fact was the number of Global agents who now have a high street presence ….yep it was also up.

Andy was followed by the big cheese from Dnata Travel, Iain Andrew, who not only gave a potted history of the group but also of Destination Dubai. Almost in synch with the company, the area has grown over the years and in the past 12 months has come on leaps and bounds with a number of projects reaching maturity and a whole host of new ones being announced.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is one such development that once completed will compete head on with all that Florida has to offer by way of theme parks. Blue Waters Island, Safari, World of Dubai adventure and the new Opera House are all in various stages of completion and all are destined to attract even more visitors.

You wait for one and then ! Global Travel visits the desert in London buses

Drawing parallels was once again quite easy to do. Give huge backing , emphasise the importance of relationship building and more than likely you will achieve growth. Like the destination seeking to improve visitor numbers, it would be no wonder if even more agents were attracted to the positive mature family that is Global Travel."