The biggest question within the travel agency industry is what the real situation is between travel agencies and airlines, the world summit of travel agencies in Granada was told, “especially after companies like Ryanair declared war on the sector.”
Otto de Vries, Chief Executive Officer of ASATA, who moderated the aviation panel said: “we perceive a need for professionalism from agencies, agents who analyse customers’ preferences, so I can guarantee that our role is essential.”
“We need to talk about the role that agencies have with airlines. Agencies are the best promoters of our product. In addition, agencies are able to gather the voice of the MICE customer.
“Above all, we see you as strategic partners with added value, both in good times and in bad times. You are opening the market and providing a reach that we cannot achieve, accessing diverse groups of customers.
This allows us to create complex products, and we have to work together to build more mutual trust and share information because our objective is common: to satisfy the traveller. We are investing the same in our sales channel as in others.”
Maria Jesús López Solás of Iberia said: “Half of what Iberia sells is thanks to travel agencies. We work and will continue to work with you to improve both sectors,” López Solás emphasised in an initial comment.
Guillermo Correa of FOLATUR highlighted the significant relationship between both sectors because agencies started their business by selling airplane tickets, and to a large extent, it still remains that way along with other products. “A customer can arrange their own trips, but agencies emphasize the speed and security of the service. 80pc of ticket sales are direct, and that’s something to keep in mind. The consumer will value travel agencies, I am convinced.”
The summit was attended on behalf of the Irish travel Agents Association by CEO Clare Dunne and President Angela Walsh.
