AKTG has added six top-performing Australian advisors to its exclusive invitation-only AKTG 100 Club for the first time in its three-decade-long history.
The top-performing A&K advisors are part of an exclusive 350-strong group attending the event, held in Chicago, where they connected with the AKTG leadership to learn about the latest developments and celebrate the group’s successes.
At a welcoming function at The Ritz-Carlton, AKTG Managing Director UK and APAC Debra Fox acknowledged it isn’t an easy time for advisors to attend the event.
“Some people did ask us if we would go ahead after the events on 28th February, and it was never going to be a decision because this is precisely the time we need to come together when there is difficulty and pressure, because when we come together, we get smarter and we build for the future and we succeed.”
Vice President Global Product Strategy Beth Sherer says while the Middle East crisis has caused some “hesitancy” in short-term travel, the long-term outlook is strong.
“We put out small-group and small-jet journeys earlier than ever this year and they’re selling incredibly well, and we are having to sell more dates, so the desire to travel is very strong.”
She says the current global disruption is demonstrating why the travel industry is so important.
“This experience is an important indicator for why companies like A&K and the travel industry are so important, because while AI has transformed how people plan travel, it can not replace intuition and relationships.
She says this points to the critical relationship it has with its local members around the world.
“This is important because we don’t coordinate from a distance, we work with our local members around the world and have local expertise that understands the politics, which is critically important and have the relationships, and we are all working closely behind the scenes, and it’s that quiet work that ensures the guest experience feels seamless.”
New developments
The global travel leader announced some significant developments during the event, including that it will add another Nile ship similar to Nile Seray, “coming in two years”.
Nile Seray A&K’s fifth and most “sophisticated and spacious” riverboat in Egypt will launch this year. She will sail between Aswan and Luxor on four-night voyages with expert Egyptologists on every excursion.
Each trip visits tombs on the West Bank of the Nile that are not on the usual sightseeing route: Nefertari, Seti I, Ramses VI, and King Tutankhamun.
Crystal, which A&K took over two years ago, is “on track to exceed 90 per cent” cabin occupancy for the last financial year, says Senior Vice President Matias Lira.
Lira says it is also seeing strong growth from a new market with 48 per cent of total bookings from people who had never travelled with Crystal before.
The cruise line’s first new-build ocean ship in 25 years, Crystal Grace, will make her inaugural voyage in June 2028 from Rome to Venice with 12 voyages, followed by five voyages in North America and Canada in September, with two more new ships to follow, while Crystal Serenity will have a full renovation in October.
In regards to current fuel surcharges, he says it is “holding the line”.
In June this year, Cox & Kings, which A&K bought in 2019, and is widely recognised as the world’s oldest travel company, will relaunch in Australia.
A&K bought the business in 2019. Cox & Kings Managing Director Jennifer Charlton says while it is targeted at luxury travellers, they are seeking a different experience.
“The Cox & Kings traveller is more curious and wants deep, educational cultural immersion. They want to stay in places with a sense of place, for example, a converted monastery, but it might not have a full spa service.”
Itineraries will focus on India, Asia, South America and the polar regions.
For more information, visit Abercrombie & Kent.
