Report by Steve Jones
TRAVEL agencies will be required to show their links with
tour operators in windows, brochures, stationery and adverts from Monday.
However, multiples say they are still unsure if their
proposals to comply with Government regulations are acceptable.
None of the four major companies’ proposals have so far been
officially approved and agents may have to remove their current posters if the
Office of Fair
Trading rules that
they are not acceptable.
Lunn Poly marketing
director Hugh Edwards said: “There has been no final sign-off from the OFT. It
apparently wants to see the proposals from everyone before it gives them final
approval. Why that is we just don’t know.”
A senior First Choice source said it had sent its proposals
to the OFT two weeks ago, but had heard nothing.
Lunn Poly has opted to initially put stickers on the front
of brochures explaining its link with Thomson and to issue separate brochures
to independents and Lunn Poly agents for the next two print runs. Airtours will
continue to use stickers to explain it is a sister company to tour operator Going
Places.
Thomas Cook has written to the OFT with its proposals, which
do not include an explanation of its ownership of JMC, as reported by Travel
Weekly in August.
First Choice declined to reveal its approach until it has
been approved by the OFT.