Face to Face – Andy Stark
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Andy Stark, managing director of The Global Travel Group talks to us about his plans for the consortia. It has been six months since Stark took control of the group.
How have you found your first six months at Global Travel Group? What has changed or been implemented by you during this time?
I joined The Global Travel Group team back in November 2012 and I am really enjoying the role so far. No two days are ever the same and there is always plenty of work of do. I am lucky to be able to work with such a great group of likeminded people who are passionate about travel and want to exceed the expectations of The Global Travel Group members. Since joining the team I have spent a lot of time reviewing the agent and supplier feedback to ensure that the Global offering is positioned correctly as we move forward.
What have been your main challenges? Were any unexpected?
It is a personal focus for me and my team to increase the awareness of The Global Travel Group this year. We have a lot to offer such as our ATOL bonding facility, commercial acumen, marketing portfolio, direct air & land products and industry leading agent support functions and it is key that agents know this. The Global Travel Group members are making the news and we have agents breaking sales records already resulting in recession breaking statistics.
You set out to increase travel agency membership, has there been a rise already or are some in the pipeline?
The membership team has continued to sign up a minimum of two new members a month. We have increased efforts with advertising, SEO and franchise adverts to encourage more agents to join the group. As a result, the membership and recruitment team have increased the number of leads received (from a new members request point of view) by +18% to date.
What are your short-term and long-term plans for the consortia?
The past quarter has been all about strategic planning for the next three years with a key focus being the roll out on our ATOL/Flight Plus proposition. Our annual conference in March – three days, hundreds of delegates, guest speakers, celebrities and industry heavyweights – was a personal highlight. It provides our agents with practical tips as well as inspiration for the year ahead.
Do you feel the consortia and your members have had a good start to 2013? Is this expected to continue?
The Global Travel Group has had a very positive start to 2013. In house group product sales have increased by 9% year on year with our long haul products performing particularly well with a 15% increase on last year. Our members cruise sales stand out from a product perspective and it’s pleasing to see sales growing steadily. They are currently 25% up compared to 2012.
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