Magellan hits back over TSAx talks

Magellan hits back over TSAx talks
By admin


Magellan Travel has dismissed suggestions that some of its members may defect to Travelscene American Express, insisting there is ”overwhelming” support from within the network.

Chief executive Andrew Macfarlane said he has received “dozens” of calls and emails from agents reiterating their support for Magellan.

It follows revelations from Travelscene Amex chief executive Mike Thompson that his network is in talks with a number of Magellan agents as part of a recruitment drive (Travel Today, August 27).

Magellan was formed by three former Travelscene agents with several more moving across in the past few years.

Macfarlane told Travel Today: “We are non plussed by Travelscene’s recruitment drive and have had overwhelming support, both in emails and phone calls, from members who say they are happy with Magellan and the model we have.”

Not one agent has left Magellan since it was formed in 2008, he claimed, and no agents are looking to depart “as far as I am aware”.

“We are in the process of distributing our year end dividend to agents and had double digit year on year growth,” Macfarlane said.

He also questioned the concept of a recruitment drive, arguing the best policy was for agents to hear about a value proposition by word of mouth.

“It shouldn’t be about convincing an agent to join your network. I can categorically say I have never approached an agent to join Magellan. I never have and I never will,” he said. “People hear from a colleague which sows the seed of interest.”

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