PHIL Hoffmann Travel (PHT) is establishing a new mobile travel agent business, with the move providing the opportunity to grow its brand across Australia.

Suppliers were informed of the initiative yesterday, with PHT General Manager Michelle Ashcroft saying “for some time we have watched the mobile market gain momentum.

“Whilst we will continue growth through our 10 traditional bricks and mortar branches, we recognise the need to continue to evolve to ensure that we service clients of all needs, and grow our new client business,” she said.

The Phil Hoffmann Mobile Travel team will be headed up by Belinda Van Tholen, who will also continue to run the company’s Glenelg Suite team.

Van Tholen has significant experience in the mobile sector having formerly been a member of MTA – Mobile Travel Agents.

PHT Mobile Travel will commence further recruitment for new members in South Australia and nationally next month “with a continued focus on the right culture fit to our values to continue our reputation as Australia’s number one travel agency,” she added.

Ashcroft also announced that the company’s first NSW-based Mobile Travel Advisor, Barbara Baron, would commence with the company this month, saying “Barbara brings with her a wealth of industry experience, along with local knowledge and connections that will see her grow the Phil Hoffmann Mobile Travel brand across NSW”.

She noted that the move also offered PHT staff another avenue of career development “to ensure that we continue to retain our best people,” with an official launch expected in mid-Nov.

Source: traveldaily

HIGH-PROFILE Asia specialist Helen Wong’s Tours is among almost 30 companies removed from the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) on the eve of a major marketing campaign to raise its profile.

Founder and Managing Director Helen Wong today questioned the value and effectiveness of the scheme, telling TD it appeared to be based only on meeting financial criteria and paying a fee.

“I cannot see any effort has been made to differentiate an ethical and a non-ethical agent, as some of the members should never be accepted,” Wong said.

“Today, anybody can call themselves a travel agent without any accreditation.

“I wonder how many consumers and travel agents really know what the functions of AFTA, ATAS and CATO are, or do they really care whether you are accredited companies or not.”

AFTA yesterday named 27 companies whose ATAS accreditation had been cancelled, including 20 that had failed to renew and seven that had voluntarily withdrawn.

The cancellations are in addition to others made earlier in the year, including that of Luxury Escapes which also questioned the value of ATAS (TD 03 Jul).

In Aug, AFTA released survey results it said showed an overwhelming support for ATAS from consumers, with 82% saying they would actively seek out an ATAS accredited agent when travelling overseas (TD 08 Aug).

AFTA this week launches a national television advertising campaign to further raise consumer awareness of ATAS, introducing the tagline “Travel Agents, Experience you can trust”.

Wong said her company would continue to hold a professional reputation, despite leaving ATAS.

“I still fully support the industry but I have to say I need some convincing on why my company needs to have the accreditation to be trusted by the consumers.”

Source: traveldaily

TOURISM Western Australia has committed funds to market Western Australia in India for the first time, revealing it will soon appoint a dedicated marketing representative based in Mumbai.

WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia announced the marketing effort while in India to meet with six Indian airlines in a bid to attract a direct service between India and Perth.

“We are working with Perth Airport to secure a direct air link between Perth and India, and this marketing activity will help promote WA and create even greater demand for these flights once they begin,” Papalia said.

“The State Government is serious about growing WA’s tourism industry, and entering a new market such as India, with the potential to deliver thousands of more visitors, will help us achieve that goal.”

India is currently WA’s 10th biggest market in terms of visitors, with 28,200 Indians spending $68m in the state in the year ending Mar 2018.

The first marketing activity in India will focus on cricket and include a co-operative marketing deal with Thomas Cook, offering travel packages to Perth for the first-ever cricket test match at Optus Stadium, from 14-18 Dec.

Activities available to tourists in Perth, Fremantle and Rottnest Island will also be highlighted during the test through visiting sports media, social media influencers and media deals.

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle will share his experiences with his followers on social media throughout the duration of his stay in WA for the test.

Source: traveldaily