| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 22/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 76 |
| Copyright: Other |
Web site entices public by waiving charges operator instigated
Thomson transfer fee offer infuriates agents
Report by TANYA JEFFERIES
AGENTS have accused Thomson of double standards by promoting an offer to waive £10 transfer fees on late deals if customers book direct through its Web site, thefirstresort.com.Thomson was the first tour operator to introduce £10 transfer fees last year on bookings made through agents and Airtours and First Choice have since followed suit.
But an e-mail sent out to registered Web users says: “Did you know that Airtours, Thomson and First Choice are now charging an extra £10 per person for airport transfers in resort for late deal holidays?
“Rather than letting this make a dent in your holiday budget, thefirstresort.com will pay this charge on your behalf.”
Midconsort chairman Alan Oram said: “This is just one example of how tour operators want to have their cake and eat it. Thomson introduced the charge to begin with and now it is using it as a tool to promote its products direct.
“This is suggesting booking through a travel agent is dearer but that’s only because Thomson introduced this charge originally.”
ARTAC Worldchoice chairman Colin Heal said: “It does seem rather ludicrous at a time when Thomson is complaining that agents are not supporting it as much as they’d like. If it does things which appear to work against selling through agents then it can hardly complain when it gets less support from retailers.”
A Thomson spokesman said: “Any tour operator, travel agent or on-line booking company is entitled to offer any promotional incentive or booking discount to their customers.”
n JMC has decided against introducing a £10 transfer fee for late bookers following negative feedback from agents.
Transferring loyalties: Thomson has been accused of double standards by agents