Si Holidays to challenge OTAs

SI GROUP showcased its Balmain-based headquarters to the travel industry on Thu night, with around 200 travel agents, suppliers, industry executives and partners given the opportunity to explore the wholesaler’s new digs and celebrate its official launch.

MD Tui Eruera said expanding the business into new verticals - namely technology start-ups & hospitality ( TD Fri) - sat alongside new opportunities for its wholesale division, Si Holidays.

Eruera told Travel Daily the wholesale market in Australia was getting “tighter” and is now based on a “game of margins”.

“Our model is to bring technology into the business more than other wholesalers have done in the past, and really bring efficiencies to not only our business but our partners.

“Because travel agencies are being squeezed now by online agents, as we know, and I think we need to work together in that capacity to be stronger in the market,” he explained to TD.

Key to Si Holidays’ success will be delivering “great service, great product and a great price to support the travel agents, and to make it easy for them”.

Eruera also confirmed that Europe would be a major focus for Si Holidays next year.

With an extensive product line- up already in Asia, the Pacific, US and Canada, Ereura said there were only a handful of players in the local market selling Europe.

“A big target for us next year is Europe. So we are bringing out an extensive Europe program, spanning the Mediterranean, Nordics and United Kingdom.

“I think that with Qantas’ new Perth-London route there will be many more options for us to capture traffic.”

Currently Si Hols sells accommodation in Europe through GTA and other links, but has had little procured content.

Eruera revealed to TD that Si Holidays’ head of product has just returned from six weeks in Europe, travelling from Spain to Greece procuring product directly and working with DMCs “that will allow us to deliver more competitive pricing”.

Pictured at the event on Thu from left are Michelle Pelley and Belinda Hackett, TravelManagers; John Nickel, Fiji Airways; Tui Eruera, Si Holidays; Tony Whitton, Rosie Holidays; Michael Gazal, TravelManagers and Deahann Urquezza, TravelManagers.

Below: Fiona Gent from MTA; Tui Eruera, Si Holidays and Rebecca Merlino, Si Hols bdm.