Express Ticketing switches on new system

2 November 2011

Express Ticketing this week formally swings to a next generation automated Fares and Ticketing system.

The new technology significantly enhances Express Ticketing’s capacity and capability which is designed to give agents more control over their business, according to Tom Manwaring, CEO of Express Ticketing’s parent company Orient Express Travel Group (OETG).

“It is another development within our Smarter Faster Stronger business partnership platform,” he said. “The great response to the new system from our members who have transitioned to the new system over the last three months has exceeded expectations, and we’re supporting the launch with new and enhanced incentive packages for our agency partners.”  

While the system has been successfully rolled out to partner agents in recent weeks, Express Ticketing on Wednesday will launch the new levels of service across the travel industry.

“Our new technology gives agents access to 65,000 airfares daily across 106 international airlines as well as prompt and convenient 24/7 fares and ticketing access, driven by a sophisticated airfare validation engine  and all backed by a guarantee and exceptional service,” Mr Manwaring said.

Agents call 1300 163 367 to set up a test drive or visit www.expressticketing.com.au 

Express Ticketing rolls out “Express Reward” cards for agents

19 September 2011

A promotion with Qantas on Monday will launch Express Ticketing’s agent cash EFTPOS-based reward card known as Express Reward.

The card is available to all agents affiliated with Express Ticketing, including Select and 1ndependence agents.

The program is instant, adopting a “we pay as you earn” approach.  As agents achieve Express Ticketing reward incentive levels, rewards ‘cash’ is transferred onto their Express Reward cards.

The EFTPOS-based service provided agents with more flexibility, control and convenience than the traditional store vouchers or gift cards, Express Ticketing argues.

In the launch promotion with Qantas next Monday, agents will receive an “Express Reward” card with $20 cash paid for each QF international ticket issued and an additional $10 cash bonus for tickets issued to HKG/China.

The Express Reward card offers Emerald, Silver, Gold and Diamond levels linked to individual agent contracts.

Express Ticketing services affiliated agents around Australia as well as the Select and 1ndependent agent networks of Orient Express Travel Group (OETG).

OETG CEO, Tom Manwaring said Express Reward supported Express Ticketing’s “smarter, faster, stronger” agent benefit philosophy.

“Flexibility, choice and agent control are key characteristics of the Select and 1ndependence business service platforms. This is another initiative that supports this, by offering a transparent and easy to understand rewards program for our members and our participating preferred partners”.

The readily-accessible EFTPOS facility was strongly supported by agents as an effective and convenient medium for redeeming rewards, Mr Manwaring said.

Importantly, the card catered for smaller agencies which were often overlooked in award schemes because they did not meet turnover criteria.

“The program is designed to stimulate high sales of course, but it is also designed to lower agent costs of doing business with us” he said.

Express Ticketing senior staff appointments

6 May 2011

Orient Express Travel Group is pleased to announce two senior appointments in their Victoria and WA State Express Ticketing offices.

Jonathan Nelson has been promoted to the position of State Manager - VIC/TAS with effect from June 2011. Jonathan joined the Company in January 2008 as State Manager - WA and has been instrumental in establishing and building the success of our Express Ticketing Perth office. His move to Melbourne will see him taking responsibility for the management and growth of Express Ticketing for Victoria/Tasmania. Jonathan will also continue with his responsibilities regarding National Sales processes with GM Aust.

Loretta Erceg has been appointed to the position of State Manager – WA, commencing mid May. Loretta joins after spending a few years at Singapore Airlines in Perth. She brings with her valuable consolidation and airline experience and will take responsibility for managing Express Ticketing in WA.

Both Jonathan and Loretta will report directly to Quynh Giang, General Manager - Australia.

 “1Travel” a brand option for 1ndependence agents

7 April 2011

Orient Express Travel Group is offering the “1Travel” brand to 1ndependence agents who want a generic brand for their business.

1ndependence agents are also offered the slogan “An 1ndependent Travel Expert … Talk to us!” in 1ndependence’s now-complete suite of services and marketing kit for independent agents.

OETG CEO, Tom Manwaring said the full service structure of 1ndependence will be the subject of a national road show for suppliers and potential and existing 1ndependence agents early next month.

Agents can register their interest in the roadshow on the website www.1ndependence.com.au which went live today.

1ndependence offers agents a flexible, transparent, low-cost and non-mandatory core support service with an annual membership of just $500 which includes the Express Fares and Ticketing suite of products, Airline contracting, exclusive Wholesaler deals, Technology services and Operations Support.

It also offers a comprehensive range of optional customised partnership services – Branding, Marketing Support, Sabre Explorer OBE, Sabre Red, Staff Training, Benchmarking, Annual Member Forum, Product Training and a new Marketing System developed by OETG IT which enables 1ndependence members to produce automated PDF flyers featuring their details and store logo as well as a comprehensive email marketing campaign tool. This system will be accessible online via the 1ndependence Agency Portal.

Mr. Manwaring said  “1Travel” and the slogan were not compulsory with 1ndependence membership. The only condition attached to membership is using Express Ticketing and Express Fares services, a more robust “Mach 3” version of which will be launched soon.

“The brands and marketing kit are completely flexible … agents can use some of it, all of it or none of it,” he said. “If they do use the brands, it’s their choice whether they go for a simple window light box, shop fascia, front door logo or total shop fit-out."

“It’s a user-pay business model which is what independent agents told us they wanted at our Phuket Forum last year, and that was confirmed by other research. But for some agents, a generic brand backed by a marketing package gave comfort, so that’s what we’ve added to the selection menu with 1Travel.”

“We’re here to help independent agents make money and help them control their destiny in a market dominated by just a few big players, so we’re not putting any onerous and expensive conditions on being a 1ndependence member or demanding how they might use the brands,” Mr. Manwaring said.

He said that with the complete servicing offering, he expected 1ndependence to take its membership base from 100 to 300 within two years, the same membership number of the OETG Select Group of independent Chinatown agents.

“We have built on the experience of the successful Select group to create the business platform for 1ndependence, and during the road show we’ll be explaining how the two groups work separately but with the same culture within OETG, and how we’re also elevating the services to Select Travel Group members,” he said.

While acknowledging the success of the major brand franchising system in retail travel around the world, “one size does not fit all”, he said.

“Independent agents, including those who are currently in and/or have tried national franchise models, see major brand franchise agreements as highly-formulated, authoritarian, costly and carrying onerous penalties. The 1ndependence and 1Travel model offers a get-out-of-jail card!” he said.

Call: 1300 163 367
Email:
or visit: www.1ndependence.com.au

OETG Welcome's in the Chinese New Year

11 February 2011

Express Ticketing welcomed in the Year of the Rabbit with celebrations and banquet dinners for its Select Travel Group agents in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, this week.

CEO, Tom Manwaring thanked the groups of agents, airline guests and suppliers for their support and contribution to the ongoing growth of the Company, and reminded all that the Year of the Rabbit was predicted to be a very busy one with lots of action and activity.

The Sydney dinner culminated with the draw of the winners of the ‘Trip of a Life Time’ campaign - a Singapore Airlines - Express Ticketing promotion with a prize pool worth over $40 000, run through Orient Express Travel Group’s, Express Ticketing over June - December 2010.

Mann Travel of Melbourne were the winners of the first prize and were in the draw for selling more than $50,000 worth of Singapore Airline tickets. Second prize went Vision Tours, also of Victoria for achieving sales of $30,000 while third prize went to Joy Travel of Brisbane for qualifying with $10,000 in sales. Every $50,000, $30,000 and $10,000 achieved respectively per month was eligible for an entry in the draw.

OETG GM-Australia Quynh Giang said "Singapore Airlines’ commitment to another great promotion for the second-year running confirmed the airline’s recognition of the importance of OETG’s agency groups nationally in Australia. The rewarding business partnership with we have with Singapore Airlines is really appreciated.”