As the travel industry recovers from the pandemic, many teams are rebuilding and businesses are having new life breathed into them.
This inspired Anna Shannon of Travel Agent Finder to launch an Aussie travel industry directory, Travel Trade Connect.
Shannon’s core business, Travel Agent Finder, is one of the largest databases of travel agents operating in Australia, with over 550 Australian agents having joined since launch, most being independent, home-based or mobile agents.
“As the industry rebounds, agents are increasing busy and time poor,” Shannon said.
“In an agent survey in January, 100 per cent of respondents expressed a need to easily find contacts for companies who support and value travel agents, to help streamline their business.
“In a more recent check-in 6 months later, 74 per cent are still having difficulty finding the contacts they need.
“Trade partners are in a similar situation. Pre-pandemic contact lists are outdated, reduced physical store numbers and events prevent networking with agents in the old ways.
“It is difficult to find who is still operating and how to contact them. Many companies had to downsize their sales team, naturally, people and processes have changed.
“Some companies are no longer with us at all, and agents are seeking alternatives to the product ranges and brands they had come to know and trust.
“As teams rebuild, we want to connect trade partner BDMs and representatives with agents, in a one-stop-shop, Travel Trade Connect.”
The directory is located inside the member-only section of Travel Agent Finder and allows trade partners to list their business contacts and products or services to travel agents via their company profile page.
Agents can search the directory by category or keyword to find what they need and connect with the right person quickly. Agents gain access to resources all in one place, such as trade portals, media asset libraries, incentives, specialist training platforms, campaign updates, partner events and more.
Shannon stated, “this is a value-added feature for our travel agent members and is available for free to all travel agents who join Travel Agent Finder.”
All members (agents and trade partners) have access to the directory. So, while the directory has been built with agents in mind, partners may also benefit by finding trade support services or collaboration opportunities.
“After the hardest period our industry has ever seen, it’s time to reconnect, rebuild our industry and get
Australians traveling again,” Shannon concluded.
Featured Image: Anna Shannon – the owner of Travel Agent Finder