The Travellers Choice conference has kicked off in Sydney for the first time in 25 years. And Karryon is here, bringing you the most comprehensive updates on what’s happening. And there’s plenty going on. So stay tuned for our rolling updates from the venue, the Hilton Sydney, and a little beyond.
The 2024 conference is themed ‘Travelution’ – and the idea behind it is a simple one.
“Because business, like life itself, is a journey made richer through finding new viewpoints and new methods,” Travellers Choice Chairman Trent Bartlett stated before the event.
A new record
Saturday, 2 November 2024
A week after picking up the award for the Most Outstanding Travel Agency Network at NTIA 2024, Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter highlighted more good news at the conference… the group’s highest-ever profit in its 40-plus year history.
Hunter put the standout FY24 result down to the resilience, tenacity and creativity of members who continue to perform despite industry-wide staffing challenges.
Significantly, Hunter highlighted the network’s impressive financial returns, noting that TC members saw nearly 10 times their investment in financial distributions – and a whopping 17 times when the broader financial value members receive is included.
“If only my superannuation performed like that!” he joked, adding that it is a key performance marker for the group.
Looking forward, Travellers Choice predicts a 10 per cent boost in Total Transaction Value (TTV) based on new membership and an exciting growth phase ahead.
Fresh talent
To tackle ongoing recruitment challenges, Travellers Choice launched TC ProStart, a free, three-month program designed to help members train new industry consultants.
“TC ProStart is a scheme specifically targeted at new-to-industry consultants – supporting members in bringing new talent into their business but relieving them of some of the training requirements,” Hunter explained.
“TC ProStart operates for a 3-month period and covers travel industry basics, destination training and Travellers Choice specific elements such as TC Hub and our internal preferred supplier partners.”
A greener path
Hunter also encouraged members to prioritise sustainable travel options as consumer demand grows.
“How conscious are you of your own sustainability practices, or those of our preferred partners?” he asked, nudging members to consider eco-friendly practices like electronic documentation and partnerships that prioritise sustainability.
For Hunter, these small actions help strengthen Travellers Choice’s role in promoting responsible travel, creating a future where clients can explore the world without compromising their values.
Conference underway
Friday, 1 November 2024
Following the group’s Annual General Meeting, Chairman’s Address and Members’ Forum, delegates headed over to the beautiful The Calyx in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden for the official welcome evening event.
If you’ve never seen the Calyx, check it out here. It really is a stunning spot… and even has one of the southern hemisphere’s largest green walls!
With plenty of refreshments flowing, guests enjoyed reconnecting with friends and partners, while some even hit the dance floor.
“Welcome to our Travelution conference,” Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter said at the event, which was sponsored by Singapore Airlines.
“The conference is a great opportunity for networking – and I always say with conferences, there are no strangers, just friends that you get to meet.
“So there’s a great opportunity to connect with people that you don’t know, people that you do know, and it really brings a great vibe to the event.”
Check out more of our images from the welcome event here.
Travellers Choice recently took home, for the fourth straight year, the award for the Most Outstanding Travel Agency Network at the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA). In a chat with Karryon, Hunter shares what the win means for the group.
