Why is it that week after week British Airways encounters so much criticism? Is it due to the new service fees? Am I alone in recallingthat BA invited and listened to many travel agents on how they could work together for mutual benefit after the end of the interim agreements?
Am I also the only one who recalls endlessseminars, reports and conferences on the industry’s way forward – involving the use of service fees and the Web as a sales tool support for the agent?
Travel agents have for many years wanted a level of remuneration that justifies their efforts placed into achieving a sale – the BA way allows this!
Are agents overlooking the fact that BA is trying to increase their overall sales revenue?
After all, BA is investing hundreds of millions of pounds into product enhancements and improved service quality into four product cabins that will not only help agents to retain loyal customers but will attract further custom and incremental business for the agents.
Why is the trade not embracing and exploiting the opportunity BA is providing it with?
With the general public being unaware or cautious of the high street discounts on package holidays and the trade’s package holiday sales being down,new sales opportunities are surely needles in a haystack.
Agents are increasingly facing more competitive threats from the providers of Internet holiday services, digital TV, Teletext and direct-sell services – therefore, an opportunity to work with BA would be for mutual benefit as BA values its trade relationships and places much importance on this distribution mode both now and for the future.
Agents have known for many years that the future was going to alter their business. BA has taken this challenge head on, in a manner relieving the agent of any stress in how to address this change, offering guidance and support in adapting and surviving.
Dawn Brown, final-year graduate – BA Hons Travel and Tourism, Management Degree