| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 10/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 1 |
| Copyright: Other |
Walking the dog
Never mind selling holidays – this is how you should earn a living
Report by LISA JAMES
TRAVEL agents are being told to earn more money by charging fees to clients for additional services, such as walking their dog or doing their gardening, while they are on holiday.The idea has come from consultant Nolan Burris, who has been brought in by British Airways to help agents come up with alternative ways of making a living when the airline cuts commission to 0% next year.
“Agents could look after pets while clients are away, take care of their plants or pick clients up from the airport. We have to focus on the fact we are the product, not the flight or the destination.”
Burris’ controversial ideas have sparked howls of protest from some agents.
Global Travel Group’s new business development manager Sue Foxall said:”This idea is just not practical and is not what the travel industry is all about. We are here to sell the best holidays to our customers, not provide a gardening service.”
Terry Thornhill, managing director of Toucan Travel in Basingstoke, already has an informal arrangement to look after the dog of a regular customer while she pops into the supermarket.
ABTAchief executive Ian Reynolds said:”Looking after the dog may be one of the wackier ideas Nolan Burris has come up with but why not do it and sub-contract it to your local pet shop to co-ordinate?”
Barking mad: the idea has received a mixed reaction from agents