News & events
ATAC value proposition launched
14th January 2008
To assist independent travel agencies in deciding to join ATAC, a quality booklet detailing the numerous benefits of membership has been published. Continuing the theme "the best value independent alternative", the value proposition clearly spells out the range of unique benefits that independent, unbranded travel agents can gain by joining the co-operative.
The booklet showcases a wide variety of suppliers and preferred partners and their offers, as well as other services such as branded websites, booking engines, automated email newsletters and training opportunities. The booklet can be ordered by emailing admin@atac.net.au or phoning (03) 9920 3809.
More cash for ATAC members
November 2007
An additional 10% fully franked special dividend for all members was the key-note announcement at the ATAC Annual General Meeting held last month in Shanghai’s historic Jing An Hotel. This bonus dividend adds to the 12% already paid, and highlights the stellar performance of the Australian Travel Agents Co-operative in FY 06-07; ATAC’s “china” anniversary year, celebrating 20 years of growth.
In declaring the bonus dividend, ATAC Business Manager Barry Salter advised that productivity bonuses paid to members for last financial year topped $400,000, an average of $6,000 per member, and was a clear indication of the cohesion and co-operation inherent in ATAC’s business model which has disbursed more than $1 million to members over recent years. “Our strength lays in our partnerships, both internal and external” noted Salter, “and ATAC members who support our preferred arrangements are the ones who benefit most” he added.
While praising past results, the AGM also focused on future opportunities. “We will concentrate on communicating the value of ATAC within the industry” said Michelle Emerton, re-elected chairperson, “and the slogan “the best value independent alternative” will spearhead our drive to increase membership over the coming months”. With a membership of 69 predominantly Victorian and NSW independent agencies, the group sees solid growth potential as many businesses seek an alternative to the branded retail franchise model. Pointing to recent high-profile ‘defections’ from franchise groups, Emerton re-iterated the ATAC buying group model is the ideal alternative to those businesses seeking a more independent approach. ATAC does not charge annual or marketing fees, but derives its income from supplier arrangements and returns surplus funds to its members each year.
ATAC’s strategic alliance with the Concorde Agency Network (CAN), part of the Stella Travel Services group, forms the largest collective of unbranded retail agencies in Australia with over 700 businesses around the country. ATAC leverages this alliance to deliver competitive product offerings and preferred arrangements to its membership. In his inaugural address to the ATAC group, CAN General Manager Scott Cammell spoke of the ATAC partnership as a “very core part of our business” and “ATAC has shown me that Independents are alive and well”. Taking a swipe at industry doom-sayers Cammell went on to say “the stories and connotations that Independents aren’t going to survive are a furphy and mistruth, businesses that are strong in their own right don’t need to rely on a brand and ATAC have shown that to be true”.
The AGM also saw the appointment of a new director, Jeffrey Griffin of Dial-A-Holiday in Woy Woy, and opened up the prospects of closer internal partnerships as several wholesale operators presented their packages to fellow members. CAN’s Network Support Manager, Michelle Ryan, briefed the audience on updated Preferred Supplier offerings; Concorde Ticketing’s Vlado Ristevski provided a comprehensive update on air product and new ATAC member Jimmy Liu of China Bestours delivered a brief presentation on one of Australia’s favourite destinations. The “china” AGM was a co-operative exercise with support from the Stella Travel Group, Air China, Qantas Airways, Newman’s, Concorde Ticketing and China Bestours.