| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 3 |
| Copyright: Other |
Direct-sell strategy
Airtours concedes to pressure on brochures
AIRTOURS is set to bow to agent pressure and withdraw some of its direct telephone numbers from its second-edition 2001 brochures (Travel Weekly May 8).The operator said it was one of the options under consideration after agents reacted with fury to the increased presence of direct-sell information published in the first-edition programmes.
Sales, marketing and development director Ed Sims said: “When we have finished our series of roadshows, we will review the response from agents and then make a decision.
“It’s possible we may reduce the emphasis of direct numbers on brochures or we could have different versions of the brochure for the independent sector.”
Another possible option would be to provide more space for the travel agent’s stamp, added Sims.
Airtours was due to meet Scottish agents last Friday to discuss the matter.
Applications to attend the roadshow soared in light of the controversy.
Meanwhile, rival Thomson is set to rip up Preferred Agent agreements with retailers who derack its brochures.
Thomson Sales director Manuel Mascarenhas said: “We will reconsider the agreement with anyone who decides to derack us.”
n See Analysis, page 8