Select gathers in Taiwan

A RECORD number of members of the Express Travel Group’s Select brand are in Taipei this morning for the 16th annual Select Travel Group conference.

ETG ceo Tom Manwaring opened the event, saying the “turbulent political and economic landscape of the last 12 months” as well as increased capacity to Asia had led to yield pressures, despite record passenger numbers for 2016.

TTV rose 6.8% and pax numbers were up 10%, but yields declined 3.3% as fares plummeted, with Manwaring hailing Select members for adapting to the environment by taking advantage of the wider range of supplier products on offer as the heavily Asia-focused group grew sales into the USA, Canada and Europe.

Cruise has also been a big winner, with ocean cruise sales within Select up a whopping 38%.

Manwaring highlighted the ongoing expansion of the Express Group which now comprises over 700 agencies within the Select, Independent and italktravel groups and “new agents being added every week”.

This morning’s sessions also included presentations from executive gm Ari Magoutis who showcased the purpose-built Express Performance software to help members focus on profit.

He also unveiled a new Express Consultant Rewards program, set to launch in the coming months.

The conference continues today and tomorrow - watch Facebook. com/traveldaily.com.au for pics, with more reports in Mon’s issue.