Personal Porter™ and Travel Associates take the lead.

Personal Porter™, the specialists in global door-to-door luggage delivery services have firmed up a partnership with Flight Centres boutique travel brand Travel Associates. With the launch of their new website, Travel Associates now provides their customers with direct access to what is fast becoming an essential travel service.

The new website features the Personal Porter™ product engine which enables Travel Associates staff and clients to generate instant and accurate quotes. Working closely with Flight Centres Online Marketing Team, the customisation of this white label solution took just a few days to complete and integrate.

“We are very excited with this development. This proactive step by Travel Associates delivers the solution to the number one issue that their customers face when travelling, this being checked-in luggage” says James Garrod, Group Marketing Director, Personal Porter™. “Prolonged queues at check-in, excess luggage fees and mishandled luggage means that the customers journey has become a hurdle to overcome. Travel Associates have recognised the value that Personal Porter™ provides and we will continue to work together to increase awareness and ensure that their client base is offered the solution to this interminable situation.”

The environment in which checked-in luggage is managed continues to change as airlines struggle with the increasing cost of fuel, the operational burden of checked-in luggage and incidents of mishandled luggage. 2006 saw a 14% increase in luggage mishandlings to 34.3 million, up from an estimated 30 million in the previous year¹.

“The value that we place on the customers total travel experience is why we have integrated Personal Porter™ within our offering. Providing it as a standard travel service is just the first step to ensure that our customers understand that they no longer have to suffer the current situation. Our new look website enhances the overall customer experience and it is this that is at the heart of our business. Personal Porter™ now provides us with an added dimension to extend this customer experience.” added David Lovelock, National Brand Leader for Travel Associates.

As well as benefitting the customer, the Personal Porter™ service perfectly complements the IATA Simplifying the Business Initiative, such as online check-in and CUSS kiosks. When combined, passengers have effectively removed the traditional check-in desk allowing them to proceed straight through passport control upon arrival at the terminal, saving time and hassle that would normally be experienced.

“As the full potential of our service is realised, Personal Porter™ will not simply be a convenient option, but how luggage is managed.” added Garrod.

Travel Associates, a division of Flight Centre, is a boutique style travel agency service, designed to cater for the frequent and more discerning traveller in search of new experiences or the ultimate in luxury holidays. Offering exclusive packages, escorted and special interest tours, luxury cruises and holidays with a difference. Travel Associates has 20 offices that are located in fashionable or historical eatery and shopping precincts in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Toowoomba, Canberra, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Hobart and Adelaide.

Personal Porter™ is an online and seamless global door-to-door luggage delivery service, offering travellers a true alternative to checking-in luggage, by picking up their luggage at their home or office and delivering it to their final destination wherever in the world they are located. The company offers flexible luggage options, preferred pick-up windows, pro-active luggage management and with operations in both Australia and the UK provides unrivalled global customer service and 24/7 support.

¹ Statistics were researched and published by SITA in The Baggage Report 2007. SITA are a service provider of IT Business Solutions and communications services to the air transport community.

For more information on Personal Porter™, please visit www.personalporter.com

For more information on Travel Associates, please visit www.travel-associates.com.au

A Report by The Mole