Kuala Lumpur - Mitra Tours & Travel Malaysia’s search for a new global affiliation after losing Carlson Wagonlit Travel to Holiday Tours & Travel last year (BTN Asia-Pacific, December 2003) has ended. The company has decided to go with UK-based Worldwide Independent Travel Network (WIN), after discussions with three global TMCs.
Launched in 1985, WIN aims to become the leading international commercial and marketing organisation for independent travel agents.
WIN does not only concentrate on corporate travel, according to Mitra group president, Tunku Iskandar, but a broader range of travel sub-sectors. While Carlson emphasises the importance of servicing accounts globally, WIN opens the door to the leisure market. It also looks at both inbound and outbound activities and is more flexible in terms of operating conditions because of its policy in retaining the identity, individuality and independence of local agents.
WIN has four shareholder countries, Canada, Germany, South Africa and the UK, representing around 3,000 travel agents and 20,000 staff. In addition there are several affiliate countries including Austria, Australia, Caribbean, Belgium, Italy, France, Spain and Malaysia, taking this number to around 6,000 travel agents and a combined turnover of more than US$10 billion.
Tunku Iskandar said: “It is too early to say how the group will fare with the association with WIN, but I am convinced by this partnership. Customers are only concerned with good deals. Having said that, people are aware of the need for international networking and I believe WIN can deliver.”
He said there had been great interest from his own contacts to establish a connection with WIN through Mitra following the announcement.
He added Mitra was “happy to assist in expanding the WIN network by providing an entry into the South-east Asian region through its own connections”.
Mitra is the network’s newest partner alongside Traveller’s Choice Australia, which joined in November last year. It is also the only Asian point of contact for WIN.
WIN CEO, Mr Neil Armorgie, said: “The addition of Malaysia to the WIN portfolio of countries illustrates the extent of our reputation and buying power worldwide.”
