REPORT-LONDON-WTM 2006: Chico – the man who brought the fun factor to the smash hit television programme the X Factor – will bring World Travel Market’s Wise up! day to a rip roaring party-style ending for hundreds of travel agents…
REPORT-LONDON-WTM 2006: Chico – the man who brought the fun factor to the smash hit television programme the X Factor – will bring World Travel Market’s Wise up! day to a rip roaring party-style ending for hundreds of travel agents on Thursday 9 November. The former goat herdsman, who soared to fame on the blockbuster television reality talent show, was behind the number one song ‘It’s Chico Time’.
He will be the presenter of World Travel Market’s Passport Competition, in association with Travel Weekly and Travel Channel at the World Stage at ExCeL London, when more than 20 FAM trips and holidays will be given away.
The competition, which offers the UK industry the largest run-down of holiday prizes, is the culmination of one of the most ambitious educational, training and skills day for agents throughout the country.
World Travel Market is expecting agents from Thomas Cook – hosted by Visit London – CTTG (United Co-op Travel Group and Going Places as well as independents, homeworkers and call centre staff.
Micaela Juarez, World Travel market’s head of marketing and the person responsible for creating the Wise up! concept, is working with some of the UK’s largest multiples and expert industry specialists with a wide menu of presentations, debates, seminars and workshops.
Shed said: “Wise up! is a chance for agents to tailor their own flexible Wise up! programme that will help them most to progress up the career ladder. That is its attraction, everyone can get something different out of the day, no matter who they are and what is their current job.”
Wise up! is aimed to play an integrated role in structured product knowledge training for agents. For example, partners this year include: the Institute of Travel & Tourism, Seatrade, PSARA, Swizerland Tourism, German National Tourist Office, Sandals and Genesys – The Travel Technology Consultancy.
“We hold great importance in ensuring that the programme and the needs of the agents are catered for during Wise up!”, continued Juarez. “Last year we carried out independent research during Wise up! at ExCeL London, interviewing participating agents at all levels to gain impartial feedback. One of the major criticisms by many agents was that exhibitors did not spend enough time with them to help gain the right kind of product knowledge and information. Agents want facts, figures and compelling marketing reasons in order to help them sell more effectively to consumers,” she said.
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