11 May 2001One of Asia's leading hoteliers and top travel agency
chiefs from around the world will gather in Singapore from
October 2-3 to make their mark at Travel Agents Exchange,
2001, Asia/Pacific's first training and trading platform
for travel agents.
Richard Hartman, managing director of Bass Hotels &
Resorts Asia/Pacific will head up the list of speakers
which include travel personalities such as Hans Lerch,
president and chief executive officer of the Kuoni group,
and Richard Bangs, founder partner of Mountain Travel Sobek
Expeditions.
Hartman, a veteran in the Asian business environment,
will share his thoughts on how the agency community has to
transform itself and draw parallels with the hotel industry
which too has had to face up to intense changes and
competition.
Lerch and Bangs will share the secrets of their
successes and reveal lessons that will help agents in Asia
navigate their way through an intensely competitive and
dynamic marketplace.
A list of leading travel experts have also confirmed
their place in the TAX 2001 conference programme which aims
to lift the bar for travel agents in the region by giving
them insights into the new skills and perspectives needed
to thrive in the new economy.
The programme also includes training workshops which
will give agents hands-on learning in training tracks such
as agency management, corporate travel, technology
solutions and frontline skills.
TAX 2001 is a joint initiative between the National
Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) and
TravelWeekly East, the leading travel agency management
newspaper in Asia.
Singapore Tourism Board's chief executive Yeo Khee Leng
said, "I am happy to hear that NATAS and TravelWeekly East
are collaborating on the first Travel Agents Exchange 2001.
This trade event will enhance networking among industry
members and expose travel agents based in Singapore to new
ideas and the latest trends around the world.
"Industry-driven initiatives such as this are important
as it signals the desire within the industry for continual
improvement and upgrading.
"The Singapore Tourism Board is also keen to share our
thoughts on our Singapore Specialist Programme with the
industry. This programme, launched earlier this year, is
designed to equip the frontliners in travel agencies with
the fundamentals of Singapore as a tourist destination.
"At the same time, I am sure we will glean useful and
innovative ideas on improving our distribution channels
from this trade conference."
"For the first time, agency owners and managers in
Asia/Pacific will have the opportunity to send their
frontline, middle and senior-level staff for training,"
said Fiona Rankine, publishing director, TravelWeekly
East.
"An intensive training session is being put together by
our editorial team to ensure a learning experience for
travel agents hungry to learn new skills to stay
competitive, and relevant in a fast changing
marketplace."
The workshops will focus on skills and issues such as
how to implement service fees, how to increase market share
in niche businesses, effective sales and marketing
techniques, customer relationship management, human
resource and technology solutions.
TAX 2001, to be held in the Singapore International
Convention & Exhibition Centre, will offer a concurrent
"interactive showcase" allowing travel suppliers to trade
with agents as well as conduct on-site clinics to arm
agency staff with the know-how to improve profits.
Registration fees start at S$200.
Contact: • Jason Ng, NATAS, Tel: 65-534 0187, e-mail: jason.ng@natas.com.sg
• Vera Lye, RTMA, Tel: 65-434 3502, e-mail: vera.lye@reedelsevier.com.sg