By James Wilkinson

Orient Express Travel Group (OETG) has created Express Events Group to supply air tickets to conference and event planners at wholesale prices.

Express Events Group holds inventory for 82 airlines

Conference and event planners will be invited to become members of Express Events Group, much the same as agents are aligned with OETG’s ‘select’ and ‘1ndependence’ buying groups to access OETG’s express ticketing and express fares services that hold inventory for 82 airlines.

For event planners without a travel agency licence, they will be able to buy their tickets and other travel requirements through a very competitive wholesale source rather than a retail source, according to OETG’s CEO Tom Manwaring.

Licensed event planners would fit neatly with the existing 1ndependence group, said Manwaring, but there will be other incentives for them to join.

Formation of the events travel business follows hot on the heels of Peter Power being appointed in March to be the Manager of Mercury Silver Aviation (MSA), a new GSA business within OETG.

MSA shortly after announced that Koptur Tourism DMC (Destination Management Company) in Turkey had become MSA’s launch client.

Power will also manage Express Events Group that will be linked to 1ndependence – a buying service created two years ago for independent travel agents.

He said there were obvious synergies for Express Events with OETG’s strong industry base, retail agency status, Mercury Silver Aviation, express ticketing and express fares.

OETG is a 30-year old Melbourne-based national travel company. It also operates the wholesale brands Orient Express Holidays, Transglobal Destinations and Cathay Pacific Holidays.

Contact OETG on 1300 883 782 or email expressevents@oexpress.com.au