Changes are afoot at travel company, Helloworld, which recently merged with travel services provider, AOT, to create a single company. At the annual Helloworld Owner Managers Summit its CEO designate, Andrew Burnes, highlighted the recent appointment of Simon McKearny to executive GM of Stella NZ prior to Helloworld’s launch in NZ in early 2016. “I know how passionate he is about the business and I’m sure that the leadership of the NZ side will be enhanced through Simon’s efforts,”
said Burnes.
He added at the summit that Helloworld’s aim is to include more franchisee owners as stakeholders in the company or for them to at least consider having a stake in the successful and ongoing transformation of the company as he has a fundamental belief that the core strength of the business is its franchisee and buying group networks. Its other main aim is to increase trading hours, to be confirmed at a later date, and to ensure 24/7 online access to increase competitiveness.
“Before the end of January I will be outlining plans which will see each and every owner of our franchisee network having an opportunity to own a part of Helloworld Limited and I believe these initiatives will help to align our mutual efforts to continue to grow and develop our franchise network in Australia and NZ,” said Burnes.
Burnes pointed to the company’s biggest rival on price Flight Centre but emphasised that Helloworld’s service proposition is its biggest strength. “You can compete on price, but at the end of the day, flights are just the beginning,” he said.
“Ninety-nine per cent of the experience is when you hit the ground and what happens when you get off the plane and I think that’s where Helloworld shines.”
