First Uniglobe Travel South Asia Regional Conference: A Melting Pot Of Ideas

Savio Rodrigues - Bangkok

Aimed at uniting Uniglobe franchisees across the south Asian market, the Uniglobe Travel (South Asia) Regional Conference was successful in its attempt to bring together 180 owners, managers and frontline staff of Uniglobe Travel staff and suppliers from all over South Asia.

The two-day event saw the coming together of like-minded professionals from the world’s leading franchise brand in the travel trade, to share ideas, build relationships, learn new skills and competencies in order to run a successful travel agency. Performers were felicitated and members were encouraged to enhance their performances in order to grow as an individual company as well as be part of the worldwide Uniglobe Travel network.

Speaking at the first regional conference, Ritika Modi, regional president, Uniglobe Travel (South Asia) said, “In the Uniglobe Travel brand development plans, South Asia holds vital prominence. The idea behind getting all our franchisees from this region to meet together, learn and enjoy, was inculcated in them a feeling that though we are an individual company as part of the Uniglobe Travel Corporation, we are one family and we are here to help each other grow.”

Uniglobe Travel has made some innovative changes in the way travel business in done. Networking and growing our business was the premise of the conference theme – ‘Growing Together’. The conference provided franchise owners and their teams with information, education and a platform for networking opportunities, within the group and global suppliers, Ritika further elaborated.

In addition to the opening conference expressions by Ritika Modi and Martin Charlwood, president and COO, Uniglobe Travel (International), other industry speakers too conducted training sessions to educate the delegates on their areas of expertise. Charles Carneiro, marketing manager – South Asia, British Airways, Paul Martin, vice-president – corporate and marketing communications, Amadeus Asia Pacific, Sheema Vohra, director Indian and Sub Continent, Marriott International Inc., Arjun Dasgupta, regional manager-travel agency sales, Kingfisher Airlines, Nishith Saxena, head- Interglobe Cruises, Ashwani Sondhi, CEO, Sakshym Services, Pankay Kumar, regional manager-South East Asia, Indian Airlines and Rakesh Bhatia, country manager – Thailand, Indian Airlines were the prominent speakers that presided over the event.

The highlight of the event was the extremely interactive and informative team-building session conducted by Dave Riveness, Eagle’s Flight – a company based in Los Angeles. The goals of the session focussed on the importance of understanding and adapting to market situations, equation of supply and demand, negotiation of skills and teamwork. And the workshop undoubtedly garnered tremendous excitement and support.