| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 12/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 10 |
| Copyright: Other |
Letter of the week
Complaints do us no justice!
Is the Scottish travel trade in danger of being seen to shout and complain too much?(Travel Weekly June 5)Should we not realise that, like it or not, the world has moved on and we have to react in our own way to combat the ever growing threat to our livelihoods? Regrettably, the world does not owe us a living.
I read last week’s headlines regarding First Choice and although the anger regarding its new greenfield shop openings is understandable if one is positioned near you, it is now history. I was also dismayed by 40 new shop openings in Scotland but do understand why First Choice had no option. Other major tour operators said to me they had to do it, to not do so would have been suicidal as they have to be in control of a large part of their own distribution.
It does leave a sour taste in the mouth but if one looks at what First Choice has done in the past and currently, for the Scottish trade, it adds up to a lot.
First Choice are the only ones to maintain a Scottish office with all the associated benefits. It has been totally honest and upfront about its intentions. They do talk and listen to us and give support with regional tactical deals, it seems a shame they are coming in for such a lot of stick. What we should be fighting for is a level playing field. To date JMC, First Choice and Cosmos, plus a lot of smaller operators, are at least giving us a fighting chance to compete.
Surely the major issues are phone numbers and Web addresses on every page of some brochures, which creates an unfair trading environment. We must fight the major issues of the day such as level pricing and can’t afford to fall out with everyone.
Disgruntled we may be, but we are a professional, credible distribution chain and should be seen as such. We should get behind the major issues of the day, keep fighting and prove our worth. First Choice needs us and we need them. Perhaps they are not the worst and we should be building bridges.
Name and address withheld