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THE multiples stand accused of short-sightedness for their reluctance to send new staff to ASPIRE, the conference for industry newcomers.

So far, 215 delegates have registered for the Institute of Travel and Tourism’s conference - at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza hotel on March 30 and 31 - but the majority are students not yet working in travel.

Of the big four, Thomas Cook is sending 30 delegates and TUI UK is sponsoring five, but neither First Choice nor MyTravel had taken allocations as Travel Weekly went to press. Between them, the multiples employ 19,000 retail staff in the UK.

ITT chairman Steven Freudmann said: “It is hugely disappointing that, having said we should do more for new entrants, some in the industry haven’t supported this event.”

Conference moderator and Perfect Holiday frontman Russell Amerasekera added: “The multiples are taking a typically short-sighted view, because they see no immediate benefits.”

But a MyTravel spokeswoman countered: “Everyone knows the situation our group is in and will not be surprised we are having to look at every cost in our business. It unfortunately means some things, such as sponsoring attendees at conferences like ASPIRE, are not on the agenda.”

Freudmann said the ITT had worked hard to make the programme and costs competitive and insisted the conference would become an annual

industry event. He was confident ASPIRE would achieve its target of 322 paying delegates and urged large retailers to sign up staff.

“ASPIRE has a fantastic business programme at an excellent price. It’ll be a slap in the face to those who ignore it.”