‘Having a representative contracted on a part-time basis can give suppliers an affordable profile in the marketplace,’ says Mark Richardson, owner-operator of OTS Travel Solutions.
The company has been operating for four years and pre-Covid represented three well-known brands.
Richardson says now, with the industry inching towards recovery, the advantages of having a multi-rep service are more evident than ever.
‘It is a cost effective way to operate, even at the best of times, because costs are split among the companies being represented. Being able to employ someone with years of experience on this basis, with strong relationships with trade and wholesale partners is a real bonus. Also, companies can still have their own dedicated training seminars and consumer presentations with a multi-rep option.
‘It is worth companies looking at this now, even if they see it as a short term option until they can hire or re-hire full time reps.’
Richardson, a previous winner of the NZ Travel Industry Best Sales Representative Award, points out that he has recently been working for Inspired NZ Tours as BDM for its domestic product.
‘Due to face to face sales calls I have been able to highlight opportunities for agents and brokers to sell New Zealand product. Inspired offers tours, FIT and customised packages that agents can escort. I’ve also been escorting tours for them in destinations such as Fiordland, Stewart Island and Northland.’
