Volume is coming back and things are looking up, but the continued closure of borders to some key inbound markets and a resulting lack of competition among carriers and other suppliers means 2022 will continue to be challenging, says Rob Beecher, director of Global Travel Network (GTN).

The New Zealand Government has reneged on a promise that it would reopen borders and reconnect to the world in the first quarter of 2022 on the condition that the country’s population was 90% fully vaccinated, says the chair of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand (TECNZ).

Scott Mehrtens who is also managing director of Leisure Time Travel, says this week’s announcement around borders was really just a tinkering of the MIQ situation for returning New Zealanders.

Global Travel Network (GTN) is marking six years of operation today and reports that despite the tough conditions now the company is looking towards strong and bouyant business in the near future.

Rob Beecher and Allen Bell decided to start a travel group in 2015 that would be dedicated to looking after independent travel agents in New Zealand. With that objective in mind, GTN was set up in partnership with House of Travel.

True to the theme of Christmas get togethers in 2020, the Global Travel Network (GTN) rooftop catch up in Shortland Street was more about marking resilience and survival than celebrating the last 12 months. But it also had a note of optimism for a better year ahead. As director Rob Beecher said, ‘Let’s face it, it’s been a sh.. of a year.’ He thanked agents and suppliers for sticking 2020 out and noted that more than ever it showed the importance of strong relationships. The casual event included a few drinks and nibbles, plus pizza. ‘Next year we might be able to afford garlic bread and chips to go with the pizza,’ added director Allen Bell.

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• Yogi Batra, Exotic Holidays; Aish... Yogi Batra, Exotic Holidays; Aish...
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As travel business owners look to the future, a network set up to meet the needs of independent agents feels it has the right model for a post Covid comeback.

Rob Beecher, of Global Travel Network (GTN), says although the company is obviously hurting like everyone in the industry, the signs are that the ‘small, lean and nimble’ model has held up comparatively well in tough times.

‘A Taste of Croatia and Slovenia’ hosted tours are gaining momentum, Croatia Times Travel’s senior wholesale consultant Ela Patajac told agents at the GTN2019 conference.

Loyalty Awards were presented to 20 companies as a big thank you from GTN for their three years of support.

The ‘demise of the travel agent’ is a fallacy, says Rob Beecher, Global Travel Network director.

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• Virender Bakshi, Sky Travel; Lynda... Virender Bakshi, Sky Travel; Lynda...
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Global Travel Network (GTN) turned three last week.

Global Travel Network (GTN) agents were shown Sri Lanka with Thai Airways and Exotic Holidays.