eTravel ITCs are on a winning streak.
The company was in a festive mood at its Open Forum, the first since COVID-19 struck. It had every reason to celebrate four record sales months during this year, as pandemic travel regulations eased and more ITCs managed to restart their businesses.
The much-loved eTravel Forum is an annual event where the ITCs attend a workshop with suppliers and colleagues. The activity culminates in a gala dinner.
This year, the company celebrated its turnaround and its top-performing members on Saturday, October 22 at the Century City Convention Centre in Cape Town. Long-serving employees were also recognised.
eTravel managers were visibly ecstatic to see eTravel’s ITCs and trade partners back together.
In her welcome address, Tammy Hunt, MD, recounted how the business had survived the worst of the pandemic. Hunt praised Garth Wolff, eTravel founder and CEO, for his leadership and dedication to the brand, and for putting the ITCs first at an extraordinary financial and personal cost.
Three notable prizes were handed out: to Heidi Barnard from HB Travel Services (Most Improved ITC); Michelle Oates from Arabella Travel (Top ITC); and Angela Blythe, A2B Travel (Most Commission Generated).
Wolff offered an emotional account of how eTravel (and other e-group brands, eHolidays, eGroup and GDW Lodges) survived by selling assets at a discount (which he recommends any business in trouble accepts), which of course came second to the sense of loss he felt over COVID-19 human casualties.
But, Wolff’s outlook is decidedly bright (as it was when he recorded this webcast on Travel News). He remains confident that South Africa (and the travel industry) can ride out the conditions that make the market tough, be it fuel price hikes, economic pressure in UK and US markets, or the current rand/US dollar exchange rate.
Based on the figures Wolff shared, eTravel is thriving.
The company reported record months in May, June, August and September. eTravel’s ITC numbers have also recovered, with 176 operational ITCs active at the time of the event.
Wolff encouraged every travel agent and ITC to capitalise on the need for professional travel services. “Don’t underestimate the power you hold now,” he said.
For pics from the evening of eTravel’s Open Forum, and news on where the company is headed, look out for Travel News’s upcoming Travel Brands feature on November 9.
