The Chief Executive of the British Isles’ largest offshore travel group, based in the Isle of Man, has been invited to speak at one of the UK’s most prestigious travel conferences next month.
Brian Kelly, CEO of the Online Regional Travel Group, will be one of just a handful of specially chosen experts speaking at the Travel Directors’ Summit, which takes place at the Emirates Stadium in London on 3 October. Organised by Elman Wall, the UK’s leading independent firm of Travel Industry Accountants, the event is invitation only and will see 200 delegates from privately owned leisure and business travel companies in attendance. Many of those there will be representing some of the travel industry’s most famous blue-chip brands.
Brian will participate in a debate called “‘B’Leisure: What Business and Leisure travel can learn from each other”. Each sector is distinctly different, both in terms of the knowledge required to do the job but also the sales techniques deployed. He is uniquely placed to discuss this subject, being just one of a select group in the British Isles who have successfully developed distinct business and leisure brands.
In the Isle of Man, business travel is managed through Mann Link Travel on Athol Street in Douglas; leisure travel is managed through Mann Link Travel on Parliament Street in Ramsey and Richmond Travel on Duke Street in Douglas.
In the Channel Islands, Bellingham Travel in Jersey and Wayfarers World Travel in Guernsey both have distinct business and leisure divisions. In addition, the Online Regional Travel Group also owns and operates a number of successful websites including www.justtheflight.co.uk, www.manxferries.com, www.manxflights.com and www.flybelfast.co.uk, as well as powering the travel and accommodation booking engines on affiliate websites including www.motorcycleadventures.im and www.manXtreme.com.
The Group is now very much seen as an IT specialist within the travel sector thanks to the way it has pioneered travel technology, delivering what the market demands before anyone else.
Commenting on his invitation, Brian said: “The Elman Wall Travel Directors’ Summit is known throughout the industry as the flagship conference for privately-owned companies, and I am honoured to have been asked to participate and be one of the guest experts. I started the Online Regional Travel Group in 1982 and it has grown from a one-man band to become the largest offshore travel Group in the British Isles. This has not been without its challenges in establishing both leisure and retail divisions, and I am looking forward to sharing these with the delegates next month.”
Deborah Potts, Head of Marketing and Communications at Elman Wall, commented: “We are delighted Brian has accepted our invitation to participate in the annual Travel Director’s Summit. As the owner of one of only a few companies operating successfully in both the business and leisure sectors, we feel he is the natural choice to take part in our debate and deliver advice about the challenges this faces, as well as offer any advice to people who may be looking to diversify their business. The conference aims to deliver a diverse educational experience for delegates and I know Brian’s contribution will be eagerly anticipated and very thought-provoking for them all.”
Photo - Brian Kelly, CEO, Online Regional Travel Group.
