ABTApresident condemns Web investments

ABTApresident condemns Web investments

THEINTERNETfaced a renewed attack from ABTA president Stephen Bath while he urged the industry to stop its suicidal discounts during his opening speech at the conference.

He reiterated comments he made at last year’s convention when he told agents they were better off investing in their shops than the Internet.

“If this was a gold rush, the only people who would be making any money would be those selling shovels,” Bath told delegates. “Agents would be far better off investing in shop improvements.”

In the address, Bath blamed poor salaries in the industry on the discounting obsession.

“How can we raise pay when we are always giving away our profits in discounts,” he said.

Earlier, Bath said ABTA was in its healthiest position for years and claimed the decision to scrap its Tour Operators’ and Travel Agents’ Councils will save the association more than £100,000 a year.

“We are more financially secure than we have ever been,” he said.