The travel agency community has reasons to be optimistic about the future despite the current grim situation, according to an industry stalwart.

John Willson, general manager retail with First Travel Group says certain factors remain critical at the moment. These include an extension of the wage subsidy, a favourable response by government to the travel brand submission, and a gradual, steady opening of borders.

The Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ), with contributions and endorsements from Flight Centre, Helloworld, House of Travel and First Travel Group, has presented a submission to government on travel supplier credits – remedies and protections for travel agents and consumers.

TAANZ chief executive Andrew Olsen says the submission laid out the inherent risk in credits, supplier failure and consumers seeking refunds, and the travel agent bearing the brunt of chargebacks and collapse.

The travel industry is paying tribute to an agent who is credited with ‘opening up the world of travel and adventure’ to the Upper Hutt community.

Malcolm MacLeod, CEO of First Travel group says the vibe at FTG’s conference was the best he has experienced for years.

Tom Manwaring CEO / director at Express Travel Group (ETG) says the company did not enter into negotiations with First Travel Group on the basis that ‘X, Y and Z members’ would agree.

Travel agents can turn ‘price driven customers’ into value driven ones, and earn money themselves by being engaged and presenting an experience they would not have thought of themselves, the First Travel Group Conference heard over the weekend.

First Travel Group presented its six supreme awards and nearly 30 supplier awards at its gala black tie dinner in Auckland on Saturday night.

While customer facing technology plays an important part in the travel business, especially in the corporate sector, the true success of the future is all about touch points with the customer, First Travel Group’s conference at Pullman Auckland heard over the weekend.