New and enhanced tools and technology is triggering interest from travel agencies in Australia to potentially align with Signature Travel Network.Lisa Harrison, Managing Director for Signature Travel Network in Australia and NZ says the the launch in August of the Luxury River and Ocean cruise program, alongside SIG Cruise Pro booking platform and the brand-new Hotel Connection, have generated new curiosity.Speaking exclusively with LATTE in Las Vegas last month, a humble Harrison said her appointment in market earlier this year may have had some renewed impetus from potential new agencies in Australia, but she highlighted the new cruise program for the ANZ market “has really been key to a significant spike in enquiries”.“Some are in early conversation stage. SIG Cruise Pro was a few months ago, Hotel Connection this month… there’s a lot of new value being provided to our members and prospects/potential members in Australia and New Zealand, and that’s what is generating interest.”“Yes, some of them know me, of course, but it’s the value that’s being delivered to the market that is really sparking interest. Alex’s visit to Australia also triggered more interest,” she said, referring to President/CEO of Signature Travel Network, Alex Sharpe.
“I think as we gain momentum with people understanding who Signature are, what the value is, what they provide and how it can complement their existing consortia membership and their product and their offering to the customer, that’s what they’ll base their decision on,” Harrison said.Kimberley Waters, Vice President of Member Acquisition said that even during Signature’s first few baby step years in the Australian market, there was consistent interest in the consortia.Though Signature Travel Network launched in Australian through Platinum travel, it was the exclusive tie-up with Magellan Travel Network that limited their growth.
“We had several that said they wanted to be first in line, so that when that agreement ends they could align. They were waiting in the wings,” Waters said.
“TravelManagers was one that expressed interest many, many years ago, and each year they were kind enough to reach out to get a status update.“When that exclusivity with Magellan ended, and we could start really expanding, it was nice to reach out to those agencies that had connected with us previously. “Platinum Travel has been a long-term member of Signature. They were a member prior to Magellan joining, and they were instrumental in getting Magellan on board. They are still members now as independent.”Waters said curiosity in the network from ANZ has jumped, understandably as a result of Harrison’s appointment.
“Definitely there has been an increase in interest, mainly in Australia. We’re starting to get some interest from New Zealand, but it’s a different, a smaller market.
“But yes, we’ve definitely had that interest in Australia, especially so with Lisa on board. Having somebody local that they know. Someone to talk to one-on-one is very different to having to come through someone in the US that you don’t know.“We don’t expand to every area of the world. We concentrate on Europe, Brazil, Caribbean, Mexico and Australia and New Zealand. Those are our primary areas. I believe we’ll have some more interest from the UK off the back of a new signing that is based in that region. We may have some opportunities there,” Waters added.Quizzed by LATTE about other new technology updates in the pipeline, Waters said the projects that are in development with the tech team “will blow your mind”.“They are constantly looking at new tools or enhancing what we have. ‘Pocket Travel Guides’ is a great tool that advisors in Australia and New Zealand can offer to their clients.”Pocket Travel Guides is a mobile itinerary app that was originally designed by an agency owner that focused on F.I.T. travel and wanted the ability to pair dining reservations, tours, hotels, transfers, every aspect of a holiday. The tool is not readily available to clients and is only available via a Signature travel advisor, thereby “reinforcing that relationship with the Travel Advisor,” she said.“When we design tools we want to help enhance the relationship, not only with core clients that book frequently, but those new prospects that you’re trying to get in your door, to give advisors the ability to say this is what we’re going to be able to offer you, when you book through us.”Harrison added that Signature’s bank of micro-sites, be it cruise lines, hotels, resorts or destinations, make research simple, and as they are white labelled, the information can be shared with the client and the agency’s branding and details are shared.“Their details, their call to action. Not the supplier. It’s their own website.”Waters said the white-labelled micro-sites also keep the cruise prospect in the Signature ecosystem, rather than sending them directly to the cruise line’s portal which may see them “snorkel away”.Lead image: Signature Travel Network’s Australia and New Zealand delegation with Alex Sharpe, President/CEO, Lisa Harrison, Managing Director, ANZ and other senior leadership members | Image: LATTE Luxury News.
