| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 17/07/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 10 |
| Copyright: Other |
Time for the consortia to flex muscle
How generous of Airtours to remove the direct telephone numbers from its brochures. But how ridiculous to expect agents to increase bookings to a significant level when there is no mention of improved brochure supplies and no mention of how agents will know how significant the improvement has been.However, if the telephone numbers reappear, has Airtours thought out the consequences?
Agents will be incensed and there will be calls to boycott the product. If this occurred and the independent agents refused to rack or hand out brochures, how will Airtours get their brochures out?
They may well have to use the postal system, which at £4.13 first class or £3.85 for parcel post, will make it an expensive operation to post out the Summer Sun brochure. I would suggest the cost will be more than £2 per brochure plus cost of staff and envelope even if it is contracted out.
The tour operators complain about how much it costs to service agents but I would bet that to distribute by post will cost a lot more.
Come on Airtours, you get a cheap distribution system with agents.
Come on agents, if Airtours reverts to its old tricks, then boycott it and hit it where it hurts – in the pocket.
It cannot afford to post out brochures. It needs our distribution channel.
Consortia are always telling members how strong their bargaining position is. Prove it. Force the issue – or are the consortia all talk and no action?
G FRoberts
Director
Choice Travel
Benson
Oxfordshire