HLO corporate now at 35%

HELLOWORLD Travel’s corporate division is currently trading at about a third of levels experienced at the same time last year, with the company’s annual report yesterday indicating expectations of “significant demand” once two-way traffic across the Tasman is allowed.

The report noted that after declining nearly 85% in the Jun quarter, corporate TTV was now running at about 30-35% of the volume from the prior corresponding period in Australia and 25% in New Zealand.

However “corporate and government travel is being undertaken on a strictly essential travel only basis,” Helloworld said.

Show Travel, acquired by HLO in Dec 2018, had recovered well as a result of the resumption of major film and TV productions, the company said.

“Although we do not expect large-scale concerts and events to return until 2021, there are plans in place for this business to start up again and many artists and other events will be eager to get back on the road again.”

The report noted developments within Helloworld’s corporate operations over the last year, including enhancements to its interface solutions for clients, improved mobile booking options and the completed deployment of the Amadeus Cytric product across major QBT customers in Australia, with the rollout in NZ to be completed by Dec this year.

Nick Sutherland, Group GM Corporate, was paid $528,101 during the year, including $52,000 in share based payments, and for the period 01 Apr-30 Jun 2020 his regular salary was cut by 40%.