Travel retailer RoundAbout Travel has ‘boots on the ground’ with a team now based in Auckland and wants to double its business from New Zealand in the next year.
The agency, part of Complex Travel Group specialises in ‘big ticket items’ such as round the world air fares and luxury cruises, says group founder and md Mark Trim, allowing consumers who want to handle their own accommodations and transfers to do so.
“We see the reality that a lot of clients are nowadays wanting to retain some degree of control over the holidays…we don’t fight that,” he says. “We’re sort of a hybrid between an on-line agent and a traditional agent.”
Trim says the Kiwi expansion is in response to demand and adds that it has worked with Kiwi travellers for years from Australia and built ‘an underground Kiwi following’. “They like the fares we come up with and the more creative complex itineraries, different continents and stopovers, and they appreciate that knowledge from more experienced airfare consultants,” he says.
“We always knew we had these clients, and now they can pay in NZD, and they can have a local working in their time zone which reduces some friction for them.”
The target demographic is more affluent travellers with Trim pointing out that 80% of airfares they sell are business class, but he notes they want value for money. “They’re well-travelled, but savvy, and they don’t want to get ripped off.”
. . . The Team
Marc Alexander is leading the Auckland office, looking after air fares predominantly. He is working alongside Trudy Markham, who specialises in luxury travel, including cruising and luxury hotels. The team will be backed by an Australia-based afterhours team. Trim believes the Kiwi operation will need at least six more staff, with a focus on airfares. See more on the company HERE.
