Independents should ignore the sceptics and get on the Net

Independents should ignore the sceptics and get on the Net

So Stephen Bath believes his Luddite stance on the Internet has been vindicated by the dismal performance of his own Web site (Travel Weekly October 30).

Last month Ryedale Travel received £11,122 worth of business via our Web site – a site we designed ourselves with software costing less than £30. All the bookings represented incremental business. Our site costs just £25 a month and has traffic emanating from search engines and free links from other sites.

One consultant took a booking – a ski request worth £4,600 – using the tour operator search facility on the Campaign for Real Travel Agents site. It brought up an operator that met the client’s needs and we got the booking.

Iaccept the Net is not going to make me a millionaire. But it does provide repeat business and it’s a misconception everyone on the Net is after a cheap deal.

Other independents considering the Net should ignore siren voices urging you to put carpets before computers and not use others’ failure as an excuse not to get involved. Getting on the Net doesn’t have to cost a fortune but it does require an open mind.

Phil Cornelius, Ryedale Agency, York