AITO Specialist Travel Agents’ domestic conference 2013

Nov. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- AITO Specialist Travel Agents is delighted to unveil the programme for its domestic conference 2013 - taking place at the prestigious Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwickshire on 12-13 January 2013.

Headline sponsored by the AITO operator, If Only, the conference will feature an engaging mix of speakers addressing key industry matters – including David Moesli of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) talking to delegates about their hotly-anticipated planned consumer campaign on ATOL reform. Workshops and numerous important announcements, such as the overall national winner of the AITO All Stars incentive scheme 2012, will also take place.

AITO Agents’ domestic conference 2013 programme:
Speaker programme:

David Moesli of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will update conference delegates about the recently introduced ATOL Certificate, including its campaign to raise consumer awareness about the reform. David Moesli says: “With the introduction of the ATOL Certificate, the CAA’s reform programme has brought much greater clarity on financial protection to consumers and it is important that the travel trade understands the changes and recognises how they can use the benefits to ensure their customers actively seek out the security that the Flight-Plus ATOL brings”.
 
Chairman of AITO Specialist Travel Agents, Oliver Broad, says: “This session with the CAA is vitally important for delegates. Whilst I still believe that issuing the ATOL certificates adds value and encourages consumers to book through a trusted company, the general consensus from AITO Agent members is that a lot of improvements need to be made. For example, many members believe that consumer knowledge is lacking at the moment and this needs to change. We look forward to addressing these issues with David at the conference.”

Dr Xavier Font, Co-Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism will educate delegates on how they can use sustainability to give them a competitive advantage, improving their marketing and communication.  Xavier has extensive experience in industry and government training on all aspects of sustainable tourism production and consumption; he regularly consults on the subject for clients such as The Travel Foundation and lectures at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Workshops:
AITO Agents typically sell holidays offered by AITO - a collection of more than 140 specialist tour operators, covering the world with an unrivalled selection of trips. A new ‘speed-dating’ style face-to-face marketplace on the first day of the domestic conference will offer agents the chance to learn more about unique and inspiring trips offered by operators, including the newest members to join the AITO portfolio. This will be in addition to the main marketplace on the following day, which is one of the largest gatherings of independent agents and operators in the travel industry calendar.

There will also be a beginner’s guide-to-AITO workshop for new members or those in need of a refresher, highlighting how they can get the best of out their membership and offering them the chance to spend further quality time with operator members.  

Announcements:
During the conference’s All Stars Awards Dinner - sponsored by the AITO operator, Anatolian Sky Holidays - an array of award wins will be revealed, including the overall national and regional winners of the AITO All Stars incentive scheme 2012 which recognises those AITO Agents who have achieved the best results when selling holidays offered by AITO. The best newcomer and most improved AITO Agent, as well as a new rising star individual award, will also be unveiled.

The winners will receive top prizes courtesy of AITO operators, including FAM trips to India with Trans Indus, Portugal with Sunvil Holidays and Majorca with Classic Collection Holidays.

Representatives from the international water aid charity ‘Just a Drop’ will also brief members about its partnership with AITO Agents to raise £20,000 over six months to improve the lives of 6,000 Ugandan villagers. The team will discuss Just a Drop’s life-saving work, highlighting to members how they can support the cause through organising local fundraising events and activities.

With plenty of experts in the travel industry, who should you trust to give an honest insight into the current market? AITO Specialist Travel Agents (http://www.aitoagents.com) represents 120 of the leading independent travel agencies in the UK – all fully independent, and all in the front line of the travel industry.

Ends – 15 November 2012

Press:  For more information on AITO Specialist Travel Agents, please call Stephanie Reed on 020 8891 4440 or email s.reed@travelpr.co.uk.