The head of Flight Centre Travel Group’s light-touch online wholesaler The Travel Junction says the start-up is wholly, and only, committed to working with the trade, and has no desire to enter the realm of B2C.
Founding General Manager, James Whiting, told LATTE this week, “We’re here to support the trade and have no aspirations ever to work in a direct-to-consumer environment”.
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Whiting explained TTJ’s commitment is delivered across a number of key business pillars, including; to never charge booking, cancellation or amendment fees (outside of what an accommodation supplier or airline may impose). Other examples of why The Travel Junction is “extremely trade focussed,” Whiting adds “Is our absorption of fees – including zero credit card fees and zero ticketing fees on our wholesale air tickets.”
“Whilst competitiveness, above industry-standard commissions and a great depth of product is important, in the current trading environment, we know our trade partners also demand great customer support.
“We deliver 24/7 customer service support from our four global hubs,” Whiting said.
“When we seek co-operative partnerships, a trade-friendly philosophy is key,” he added, citing the wholesaler’s current campaign with Disney and Delta Air Lines.
“This collaboration demonstrates our desire to work with partners that have this same philosophy. Both Disney and Delta have been very clear of their position – providing ongoing support for trade – backed up with tangible actions,” Whiting told LATTE.
“With the impact of reduced commissions in the air space, we want to help advisors optimise their share of their clients’ wallets with compelling and creative global product options.
“Through partnerships with quality supply partners and destination marketing partners, our strategy is to focus on delivering a world standard, online wholesale service. Fundamental to this is to highlight product and help educate compelling and aspirational destinations that we know in the new travel landscape, Australian travellers are keen to explore,” he said.
“Our objective is to make it easy to do business with us, and for our trade clients to have the confidence that they can be assured of our solvency; stability and security – more important than ever before in our industry.”
Whiting also gave travel advisors a heads-up on a new incentive that launches in July that will run for 12-months. The new incentive program will dish up monthly prizes culminating in a fam trip for the winners in August 2023.