Magellan Chair steps aside

MAGELLAN Travel Group co-founder Andrew Jones has confirmed his departure as the network’s Chairman, as the Magellan board winds down operations following its acquisition by Helloworld Travel this year (TD 02 Mar).

Jones made an emotional farewell address at a gala dinner on Fri night which wrapped up the Magellan Travel Group’s 2018 conference, reflecting on the decade since he established the business along with brother Trevor Jones and Kevin Dale.

He thanked the group’s founding members and suppliers who supported Magellan from the start and urged attendees not to underestimate what a fantastic industry they are part of.

“Travel is full of great people with a common interest; it’s a fantastic, fun industry where ultimately you control your own destiny,” he said.

Jones also highlighted the success of the HLO takeover, saying “with Helloworld you are in safe hands...over the last six months they have delivered on everything.

“Andrew Burnes is a fantastic CEO and he’s genuinely committed to you, the agents...he gets it.”

Jones confirmed that having exited Magellan following the earlier sale of Andrew Jones Travel to Corporate Travel Management (TD 14 Dec 2016) he was leaving the travel industry, with plans to run a farm in Tas.

“I have loved every minute of serving you as your Chairman... when I sit back in a few years’ time I look forward to toasting the continued Magellan success.”

More from Magellan on page seven, with a wrap-up of the conference to also appear in the next edition of travelBulletin.