Travel agents and industry support are key to achieving Queensland Rail Travel’s growth targets, according to the company’s general manager Max Kruse, who says their expertise drive and excite travellers to book.

In Sydney this week meeting with local agents, Mr Kruse told e-Travel Blackboard that while the company has achieved growth through self promotion and direct bookings, it is still committed to working closely with agents and build great partnerships with trade.

Signing a 12 month partnership with Jetset Travelword to cement their commitment, Mr Kruse explained that currently up to 80 percent of its business is direct but expects the “greatest growth” to be achieved through trade over the coming three to five years.

“Trade in particularly specialise,” he said.

“They have that audience, they know them and will be able to present what we are proposing and excite them.”

Recently adjusting its target market, Mr Kruse said agents also have the potential to assist the company reach the affluent 45 plus leisure market.

Despite natural disasters striking Queensland’s tourism industry last year, Mr Kruse said the company managed to finish in line with the prior financial year but expects to see this year’s financial results pick up by 24 to 25 percent.